The Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the last general elections, Barrister Nnadozie Okpokiri, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Bola Tinubu on his emergence as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
Tinubu, on Sunday during the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Bissau, Guinea Bissau, was unanimously endorsed to lead the exclusive club of Head of States in West Africa.
In a statement issued on Monday, Okpokiri said Tinubu’s emergence was an indication that his counterparts had trust and confidence in his abilities to provide good leadership for the sub-region, adding that he had no doubts that the Nigerian President would deliver on his responsibilities towards the regional organisation.
He also commended Tinubu on the economic policies he had taken so far since assuming office as the president of Nigeria, pointing out the decision to stop the subsidy on premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as fuel, and the termination of the dual exchange rate was a proof that the president was determined to get Nigeria’s economy back on track.
Okpokiri, who said although the removal of fuel subsidy had the potential of causing some hardship on Nigerians, added that the situation was bound to be temporary.
He expressed optimism that the palliatives being worked out by the Federal Government and different State governments would significantly cushion the effect of the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.
Okpokiri observed that creative disruptions were needed to deal with Nigeria’s perennial economic challenges, stressing that there was no doubt that fuel subsidy having been part of the county’s economic system for many years would be difficult for its sudden removal to be appreciated, and called for patience and sacrifices by all and sundry in order to allow the benefits of the policy to manifest.
