On Thursday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Tinubu and allow him the opportunity to address the country's challenges.

CAN also praised Tinubu for proactively taking measures to prevent the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in response to the removal of fuel subsidies.

The organization advised the NLC and TUC that if any call to action is necessary, it should be for the prudent and accountable use of the funds that would have been allocated to subsidize fuel.

During a press conference in Abuja, the Chairman of Lagos State chapter of CAN and Methodist Bishop of Ikeja Diocese, Stephen Adegbite, raised these concerns.

He criticized the fuel subsidy as a misguided policy that benefits the wealthy and politically connected, while ordinary citizens suffer.

Adegbite commended Tinubu's approach in inviting the leaders of NLC and TUC for private discussions, which led to a resolution and the end of the nationwide protest.

He praised the President's willingness to listen and take action in the national interest.

Adegbite appealed to Nigerians to give President Tinubu an opportunity to address the country's issues once and for all.

He said, “I have keenly followed the socio-economic developments in our country since May 29, 2023, when the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took the reigns of governance.

“The President had, on assuming office, made his now famous ‘fuel subsidy is gone’ pronouncement in his inaugural speech and since then, fuel prices have twice gone up in line with the dictates of market forces.

“The step he took was one majority of Nigerians had agreed needed to be taken. It was increasingly obvious that the subsidy regime was not benefiting the masses it was originally designed to benefit.”

He added, “The truth is that the fuel subsidy misadventure was profiting the rich, the politically connected, and even worse, our regional neighbours and smugglers who enjoyed opulent returns at the expense of the citizenry.

“Basically, the masses who were supposed to benefit from the subsidy were not the primary or secondary beneficiaries, but the saddest part is that the people have somehow been hoodwinked and deceived into believing that the fraud of subsidy was in their favour.

“It is against this background that I commend President Tinubu for inviting NLC and TUC leaders for follow-up discussions after organized labour went ahead with protest marches, despite his nationwide broadcast.”

Adegbite stated that Tinubu is a listening president who provided clarity to the leaders of the NLC and TUC, over matters that were unclear.

He mentioned, “I find it assuring that he used the opportunity to provide clarity on a number of things labour leaders felt were not clear enough.

“This, in my view, shows that we indeed have a listening President who is interested in getting things done in national interest.”

Adegbite acknowledged that labor raised the issue of refineries in its criticism of President Tinubu's recent nationwide broadcast. He mentioned that there have been assurances that the Port Harcourt refineries will be operational by December 2023.

He added that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) should be aware that all four of the nation's refineries are undergoing refurbishment under an arrangement made during the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari, each with its specific timeline.

Adegbite emphasized that there is a clear plan in place to ensure local refining of petroleum. He expressed his satisfaction with the decision of labor to suspend its protest marches.

“So my message to NLC and TUC is that if there is any need for a call to action, it should be for the judicious and accountable use of the funds that would otherwise have been used to subsidise fuel.”

“We can’t be complaining about a deficit of social infrastructure and amenities as well as low wages for civil servants, and at the same time be opposed to efforts to improve the quality and availability of same,” the state CAN chairman said.