He also promised to work towards enhancing the security situation in the country to allow entrepreneurs to have an enabling environment to do their businesses.

Tinubu made the pledge at a business luncheon with business owners in Lagos.

The luncheon, entitled ‘Business forward’, was held at the Wings located on Victoria Island.

On the issue of fuel subsidy, he said, if elected, he would take bold decisions that would turn the nation’s economy around.

He said, “Nigeria will not continue to subsidise fuel consumption in neighbouring countries.

“How can we be subsidising fuel consumption of Cameroon, Niger, Benin Republic? No matter how long you protest, we are going to remove the fuel subsidy.

First, the primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives, property and prosperity of its citizens.”

He said, as governor of Lagos State, fixing the difficult security situation at that time was his first priority.

“Only after we secured the state and changed its reputation for the better, could we embark on the economic reforms that have ultimately produced the vibrant and active megacity of today.

“I am committed to securing Nigerians from violence and the fear of such violence, terror, kidnapping and banditry have no place in the society I envision,” he said.

Tinubu told his audience that upon assuming office as president, he would move to implement several measures.

“We will increase the numbers of our military and non-military security forces and specialist anti-terrorist battalions would be established.

“Our Critical National Infrastructure Protection Plan will deploy aerial and ground surveillance technology to survey the most dangerous areas and secure our country’s vital national infrastructure and installations.

We shall acquire and upgrade the tactical communications and mobility of our troops and security personnel.

“We must also devote greater attention to the care and welfare of our military and security forces who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.

In summary, our objective is to be able to out-manouvre, outwit and outflank the terrorists and criminal groups. They want to defeat our democratic and good society. We shall defeat their evil one.

“As we fight insecurity, we must deal with our economy at the same time. We know that business and insecurity cannot thrive side-by-side,” he said.

He added that his government would give room to allow the private sector to thrive by not interfering in their various businesses but be open for collaboration.

According to him, where the private sector is doing well, his government would not interfere.

“Our guiding principle regarding economic policy shall be to provide the right policy framework so that business can flourish.