By James Isaac, Abuja
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office, Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, has scored the administration high, praising its efforts to stabilize Nigeria’s economy amid daunting challenges.
Speaking on the state of the nation, Senator Adegbonmire commended the President for taking bold decisions to correct past economic missteps. He noted that when President Tinubu assumed office, Nigeria was grappling with massive debt and financial recklessness, which had weakened the national currency and crippled the government’s ability to meet essential obligations.
“The country was so indebted that it could hardly finance its basic needs. Our economic policies under President Tinubu may not have been popular, but they are necessary to halt the drift and restore economic sanity. In due course, every Nigerian will begin to feel the positive impact,” he said.
On the removal of fuel subsidy, Senator Adegbonmire argued that the policy had long served the interests of a privileged few, to the detriment of the majority. According to him, redirecting funds previously spent on subsidies into more impactful initiatives like the Students Loan Scheme was a strategic move designed to ensure broader access to education.
He further noted the irony of the opposition’s criticism, recalled that virtually all presidential candidates during the last general election had pledged to remove the fuel subsidy if elected. “Now that President Tinubu has taken the bold step, those who once supported the idea should rally behind him to move the country forward,” he stated.
The senator also urged members of the media to embrace objectivity and patriotism in their reportage of national issues, cautioning against sensational headlines that mislead the public and undermine government efforts.
On the relationship between the executive and the legislature, Senator Adegbonmire dismissed suggestions that the National Assembly was a “rubber stamp” of the presidency. He maintained that the current harmony between both arms of government is healthy for democracy and crucial for implementing policies that directly benefit the populace.
Addressing the recent political crisis in Rivers State and the President’s declaration of a state of emergency, the lawmaker affirmed that President Tinubu acted within his constitutional powers to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
In the power sector, Senator Adegbonmire criticized the past administration’s decision to sell off critical infrastructure to private investors lacking the financial and technical capacity to drive reform. “No country can grow if it continues to subsidize power across the board. The mistakes of the past must be corrected to build a sustainable future,” he said.
The senator called on all Nigerians to support the administration’s vision and to exercise financial discipline to complement ongoing reforms.
