President Bola Tinubu has called for unity to stabilise the country, while reminding Nigerians that he is their leader regardless of the party they voted for during the February 25th presidential election.

“We must promote unity and stability for all. Whether you voted for me during the elections, or not, I am your President. I will work on your behalf to ensure a turning point of prosperity,’’ Mr Tinubu said.

The president, according to a statement by his spokesman, Dele Alake, on Saturday, said this at an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community living in France, where he attended a two-day economic summit hosted by the French government.

Explaining his immediate removal of fuel subsidy, Mr Tinubu said “we have transport challenges, electricity challenges, infrastructural challenges and others. I let out the giant elephant of fuel subsidy without bringing down the house.”

Mr Tinubu assumed office on May 29, after emerging from an election which stretched the country’s ethnic and religious division to its limits.

His decision to run with a fellow Muslim, Kashim Shettima, as vice president attracted fierce criticisms from the Christian community who claimed Mr Tinubu was towing the path of Islamisation of the country.

Many Nigerians, especially young persons, who despised the political establishment’s long years of misrule, sided with former Anambra governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential elections. They still believe the election was rigged in favour of Mr Tinubu.