State Governors on Wednesday met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to express their support for his decision to end fuel subsidy payments in the country and his other early policy initiatives.

The Governors congratulated the President for tackling the subsidy behemoth and pledged to work with him to alleviate the short-term impact of the decision.

Tinubu urged the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government in tackling the menace of poverty in the country and downplay their differences to focus on alleviating the sufferings of the people. 

Tinubu stated that the nation should be seen as one big family and that good governance would safeguard the future of democracy.

He assured the Governors that he would maintain an open-door policy and share ideas, strengthen institutions, and create bottom-up frameworks that will improve the livelihood of Nigerians.

The President drew attention to the security problems in some states, admonishing the Governors that all efforts should be put in place to tackle the security situation. 

The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRasaq, thanked the President for the invitation to deliberate on the challenges of poverty and security.

AbdulRasaq promised that the governors would support the Federal Government in meeting the targets of human development and follow the tradition of working constitutionally and harmoniously with the President. 

President Tinubu stated that poverty is not hereditary, but a result of society. He called for greater investment in education, the only tool against poverty.

He drew attention to the need to galvanise the economy and put resources in place.

Tinubu also noted the savings that would accrue to the Federation Account following the removal of the subsidy. 

The President spoke of the diversity in culture and politics present in the room, but stressed the unity and stability of the country rested on them. He urged the Governors to think and perform, and after removing subsidy, to utilise the savings for national development goals.

The President pledged to continue to work with the Governors to address the unacceptable level of poverty in the country.