The Presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari is focused on building developmental goals and not politics despite the challenging times and believes he will be rewarded by history in spite of his criticism on social media.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday while reacting to comments on the Buhari administration following an upward review of the pump price of fuel and electricity tariffs in the country.

Shehu who explained that subsidy removal in these sectors had been seen before hand by successive administrations as a way to move forward with the nation’s development added that these are reforms that are necessary and overdue. He said: “To stop the mismanagement of taxpayers’ money, eliminate corruption associated with subsidies on petroleum products, power, fertilizer among others, the administration took the decision to implement long-delayed reforms, withdraw and allow the market to determine their prices.

“Blueprint upon blueprint, timeline upon timeline had come and gone but the courage to take bold decisions was not there.

“Over the last few days, one claim acquiring a potent resonance with the online community, sections of the labour movement and the opposition are that the actions are ill-timed and ill-advised.

“There is nothing new in the fact that the country is today fighting multiple challenges along with COVID-19, including low earnings, near-collapse of the oil market, floods, threats of terrorism and banditry but the challenges notwithstanding, a good government must make decisions for the people’s good.

“As President, Muhammadu Buhari takes these difficult decisions, both popular and unpopular and as a leader because he is demonstrating the right courage to take such decisions as they become necessary in view of present circumstances.”

Shehu however expressed hope that history would remember Buhari as the president who embarked on a transformation of the national economy for the general good of the citizens and stated that the ongoing reforms in the energy, and oil and gas sectors would get rid of all the evils of corruption embedded in the sectors.

The presidential aide emphasized the need for all well-meaning individuals, civil society groups and labour movements to support the president’s bold initiatives to transform the economy for the betterment of all citizens as he said:

“History will be kind to President Buhari because, in addition to his amazing ability to command votes, he will be remembered as the President who made real contributions to economic and overall national development by eliminating the evils of corruption embedded in subsidies.

“In any democracy, the most important certificate in governance is acceptance by the people and, with the support of ordinary Nigerians, President Buhari has shown a rare determination to carry out the bold initiatives as these ones driven by nothing other than the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

“In carrying out the reforms, the President needs the support and understanding of all citizens, inclusive of the opposition parties, the labour movement and civil society groups.”