President Bola Tinubu has stated that he will not hesitate to fire ministers who fail to meet their commitments to Nigerians.
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at the presidential palace in Abuja, during a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) leadership.
Tinubu said:
“I thank the cabinet members for their efforts, but I will relieve any of them of their duties anytime I feel that they are failing Nigerians.”
“We are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the governors. I am doing my very best to enhance the country’s revenue base. They must equally be sympathetic and urgently consider the needs of the local people,” he said.
“We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Do they solve problems for Nigerians? Do they coordinate development programming with the state and federal governments?
“Who is being held accountable for the performance of the 774 local governments?
“When we want the votes, we go to the locals; when we get the votes, we move to and focus on Abuja.”
The president said the number of out-of-school children in the country is “unacceptable,” noting that education is a tool against poverty.
He said:
“We must use our education to serve the people and improve their conditions. We must develop the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, which is the education system.”
“We will collaborate with you on this intensively. We are still building Nigeria, and I am glad that you have emphasized the need for development.”
Tinubu stated that the decaying infrastructure and high poverty rate in northern Nigeria are unacceptable, and that action must be taken to address the issue.
The President directed that a committee be formed to follow up on the problems presented at the meeting.
George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), was tasked with leading the follow-up activities.
The president also used the opportunity to call for national unity and ongoing support for his administration as it addresses decades-long issues facing the people.