May 29: Starting point may be bleak—Shettima

The Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, has remarked that the country’s many issues may make his administration’s start difficult.

He said subsidy reduction and the multiple exchange rate system are among the administration’s biggest challenges.

Read Also: Tinubu joins Buhari, Marwa for Juma’at prayers

He addressed during the Friday Abuja Jumat Prayer and Lecture as part of the May 29 handover ceremony.

Shettima, who represented President-elect Bola Tinubu, said he was aware they were short on time and that delay may worsen the country’s condition.

“Tinubu is fair-minded,” he stated. He will serve Nigeria regardless of party, religion, or tribe. We share poverty and instability with others. We must unite now.

“Our nation has great potential to share with the world. China is no longer a sleeping giant. Nigeria must awaken. We need your prayers for wisdom. Tinubu will land.

“Time is scarce. Our problems worsen. Today is urgent. Nigerians will honour us eventually. Let me be honest—the beginning may not be good. Oil subsidies burden us. Multiple exchange rates hurt the economy. The president-elect will make some decisions, but Nigerians will eventually appreciate and applaud us.”

He pledged that the future administration would fairly represent and compensate women.

“To my sisters, rest assured you will be well represented in the incoming administration,” he stated. I’ll also pay you generously.

President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) said the economic, security, and other issues under his care were global.

Buhari, represented by Boss Mustapha, said Nigerians overcame other hurdles by handling the issues.

“Our economic, security, and social issues are not unique,” he remarked. The country can always be wonderful. Nigerians have overcome COVID-19, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and other challenges.

He asked Nigerians to support the new administration notwithstanding their election disputes.

Buhari stated, “Elections have passed. New leaders were elected. Our job is to help them transform Nigeria. To advance, we must use our differences. We must also promote peace, harmony, and legality. Last government provided a solid platform for future administrations.”