By: Abdullahi Inuwa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fired a strong message at political opponents advocating the return of petrol subsidy, invoking the biblical and Quranic account of Prophet Moses’ departure from Egypt to defend his administration’s economic reforms.
Drawing a parallel between Moses’ journey and Nigeria’s economic transition following subsidy removal, Tinubu argued that confronting difficulties should not automatically mean returning to the past.
“I listen to my political opponents promising the return of subsidy. I remember my scripture studies in either the Bible or the Holy Quran. When Moses left Egypt, they faced the challenge, the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt,” the President said.
The striking religious analogy captures Tinubu’s determination to maintain the subsidy-removal policy despite mounting calls from critics for a reversal.
Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has defended the removal of petrol subsidy as a necessary measure to ease the financial burden on government and redirect public resources towards other priorities.
However, the policy has sparked intense public debate, with Nigerians grappling with rising transportation costs, higher prices of goods and services, and mounting pressure on household incomes.
Opposition politicians have continued to challenge the administration’s approach, with some advocating the restoration of subsidy as a way to cushion the effects of economic hardship on citizens.
Tinubu’s latest remarks suggest that his administration has no intention of returning to the previous policy framework, framing the economic challenges as obstacles that must be overcome rather than reasons to reverse course.
The comparison with Moses’ journey also places the subsidy debate within a broader argument about perseverance, sacrifice and the direction of the country’s economic reforms.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the future of petrol subsidy is likely to remain a major point of disagreement between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties.
For Tinubu, the message is clear: the difficulties confronting Nigeria should not be an excuse to return to the past.
About The Author
