The Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Pius Akutah, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not properly briefed on the recent killings in Benue State, which led to controversial public reactions.
Speaking with journalists at his residence in Makurdi, Akutah clarified that the President’s initial remarks on the situation stemmed from incomplete or misleading information provided to him.
“The speed with which Mr. President responded to the issue in Benue, and from his statement, shows that he was misbriefed,” Akutah said.
He pointed out that once Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia publicly addressed the issue, many Nigerians realized the context behind the President’s comments.
“Immediately the governor gave an interview, people knew, ‘Oh, this was the briefing Mr. President had.’ People saw where the problem was coming from,” he explained.
“President Tinubu Is Sincere and Focused on Reforms”
Akutah urged Benue residents and Nigerians at large to remain patient and supportive of the President’s efforts to tackle security challenges and rebuild the nation.
He praised President Tinubu’s decisive actions, particularly his removal of fuel subsidy and his commitment to diversifying Nigeria’s economy.
“He promised Nigerians he was going to take out the fuel subsidy. On day one, he took it out,” Akutah stated.
“Even when they fought back, he stood his ground to this day.”
He also attributed the ongoing stabilization of the naira-dollar exchange rate to the administration’s economic policies.
“Nigeria Is on a Path to Healing”
Describing the current hardship in the country as a necessary consequence of long-neglected structural problems, Akutah said:
“You have something stuck in your lap and somebody came to remove it. You will feel sharp pain at that point. But then, when the healing process continues, you’ll see how everything will just die down and you’ll have permanent healing.”
Akutah concluded by reaffirming his belief that President Tinubu is determined to leave a lasting legacy by tackling Nigeria’s core issues head-on with sincerity and firmness.