The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the removal of petrol subsidy has increased allocations to state and local governments.

Mr Wike spoke on Saturday during an interactive town hall meeting with stakeholders of the Rainbow Coalition in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“Each time a president comes, ‘fuel subsidy is a scam’. What have you done with it? Another president will come, ‘fuel subsidy is a scam’. What have you done? Nobody has been able to take a courageous decision,” Mr Wike said.

The minister said Mr Tinubu took the decision shortly after assuming office in May 2023, despite the anticipated hardship for Nigerians.

“He said, ‘I know that the decision I am taking would be strong. There are advantages and disadvantages. It will cause a lot of hardship, but this hardship is a sacrifice that would make our country move forward,’” the minister stated.

Mr Wike acknowledged that the removal of the subsidy had increased the cost of petrol and other essential commodities but maintained that it had improved the financial capacity of state and local governments.

He claimed that states now receive at least N15 billion in monthly allocations, excluding other revenue inflows, although he did not provide a breakdown of the figures.

The minister also linked Mr Tinubu’s reforms to improved industrial harmony in the university system, claiming that public universities had not embarked on strikes in the three years preceding his remarks.

“Sometimes, it requires leadership that can take decisions that are so hard and necessary for the progress of the organisation, the kingdom or the country,” he said.

Mr Wike also cited the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road as an example of the administration’s achievements, saying the project had improved road access to Bonny.

He said successive administrations had promised to complete the project but failed to deliver.

“The advantage is that we can now go by road to Bonny. Administrations have come, and this road has become a political road. It is not today. So many governments have said, ‘We will try,’ but thank God, under the administration of the present president, this road has been completed,” he said.

The minister urged residents to assess political leaders based on their records in office rather than promises.

He also criticised unnamed opposition politicians, accusing them of seeking higher office without demonstrating sufficient achievements to justify their ambitions.

Mr Wike urged Nigerians to be wary of politicians who repeatedly seek public office despite previous electoral defeats.