Tinubu: Those hurt by subsidy removal and forex reforms want me gone

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has alleged that powerful interests affected by the removal of fuel subsidy and the abolition of multiple exchange rates are behind attempts to destabilise Nigeria and would “wish him dead.”

The President made the remarks through former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba at a Lagos event marking 32 years of the National Democratic Coalition and the presentation of awards to pro-democracy activists.

Speaking at the launch of The NADECO Story by Chief Ayo Opadokun, Osoba said Tinubu remained committed to restructuring the economy despite resistance from vested interests benefiting from subsidy payments and exchange rate manipulation.

“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,” Osoba said.

According to him, Tinubu believes some actors are deliberately fuelling insecurity after being affected by the administration’s economic policies.

The President also reportedly thanked NADECO members for their role in restoring democracy, saying he would not have attained office without their sacrifices.

Osoba further quoted Tinubu as saying that economic management and security remain his immediate priorities, though he hopes to implement more political reforms if re-elected for a second term.

“You all can see now that the security situation is now moving gradually into the South-West zone,” Osoba said, while also noting Tinubu’s remarks on the relative stability of the naira compared to earlier predictions.

The event featured several prominent figures including Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Olisa Agbakoba, actress Joke Silva and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja.

Soyinka described Opadokun’s book as an important historical record, saying it reflected the realities of the democratic struggle against military rule.

“I must congratulate Ayo for doing an unbelievably invaluable gift,” Soyinka said. “Every page of this book… rings of the truth.”

He also narrated how late activist Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti once planned to assassinate former military ruler Sani Abacha, but said he persuaded him against it and took the weapon away.

Osoba, meanwhile, disclosed that he narrowly escaped assassination during the military era, alleging that operatives linked to the Abacha government once attempted to ambush him on the road to Abeokuta.

In his remarks, Opadokun said the gathering was intended to recognise the sacrifices of activists, journalists, diplomats and civil society groups who resisted military dictatorship.

“That light was carried by men and women of conviction — within NADECO and beyond — who chose resistance over silence, truth over fear, and sacrifice over comfort,” he said.

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