Tinubu Carpets Critics as ‘Empty Vessels’ at APC Summit, Defends Subsidy Removal

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday delivered a scathing rebuke of his critics at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Policy Roundtable Summit in Abuja, defending his administration’s removal of the fuel subsidy and describing opposition voices as “empty vessels” making the loudest noise.

Speaking to a packed hall of party leaders, governors, lawmakers, and stakeholders, Tinubu remained resolute in the face of public discontent over economic hardships following the controversial policy decision.

“They will persist in their abuse, insults, and curses directed at us due to the removal of the subsidy. But we should ignore them since they are just empty vessels that make the most noise,” he said.

The president also praised the APC faithful for staying the course, using the party’s iconic symbol the broom as a metaphor for political purification.

“Thank you for using the broom as it ought to be used, thank you for sweeping all the dirty political parties away,” Tinubu said to loud applause.

The summit, themed “Improving Lives of Nigerians Through Effective Policy Implementation”, marked two years of the Tinubu administration and served as a platform to review its policy impact, communicate reform intentions, and rally support for future governance.

Notably, the event also saw the APC endorse President Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election a show of internal unity and continued confidence in his leadership.

Despite growing criticism from labour unions, civil society groups, and opposition figures over rising inflation and a weakening naira, Tinubu has consistently argued that subsidy removal was a necessary step to save the economy from collapse.

“We took tough decisions not to punish Nigerians, but to set the country on a path of recovery and growth,” he reiterated.

With the APC using the summit to tout achievements in infrastructure, digital economy, and macroeconomic stabilization, Tinubu’s remarks served both as a defense of past policies and a rallying call to brace for the future.

The APC Policy Roundtable Summit continues through the week with breakout sessions focusing on security, youth engagement, agriculture, and job creation.