President Bola Tinubu has said some people affected by his administration’s foreign exchange and petrol subsidy reforms are wishing him dead.
President Tinubu spoke on Wednesday in Lagos at the presentation of the book, The NADECO Story, written by Ayo Opadokun.
The president was represented at the event by former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba.
According to Mr Osoba, Tinubu said people who benefited from multiple exchange rates and fuel subsidy payments were unhappy with the reforms introduced by his administration.
“As for security, he says, I should let you know, that he is aware that there is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the peace of this country by people whom he knew he had offended by canceling multiple exchange rates and by canceling oil subsidies,” Osoba said.
“He said those cabals who are doing round-tripping will wish him dead any time, but he is determined that if that is the only thing he would do, he would make sure he rearranges the economy.”
Tinubu removed petrol subsidy after taking office in 2023 and later introduced reforms in the foreign exchange market, including exchange rate unification.
The policies have generated reactions across the country, with the government maintaining that the reforms are necessary for economic stability.
Osoba also said the president identified the economy and security as the major challenges facing his administration.
“He said the major issue before him now is the economy and security,” he added.
According to Osoba, Tinubu said the gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates had reduced.
“You all can see that the difference between the parallel market and official market exchange rate is virtually zero now. The naira, which they thought would be N2,000 to $1, is now N1,380 or thereabouts,” he said.
Osoba said the president also thanked members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) for their role in Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.
He said Tinubu promised to address more political issues if re-elected for a second term.
The event was attended by several public figures, including Wole Soyinka, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, Olisa Agbakoba and Joke Silva.
