National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, has defended the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, challenging opposition parties to move beyond criticism and present practical alternatives to the country’s economic challenges.
Yilwatda made the remarks through Hon. Daniel Rejenieju at the 10th National Assembly Award Dinner held on Wednesday at the House of Representatives Complex, National Assembly, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman said many opposition politicians had also promised during the 2023 general election campaigns to remove the fuel subsidy but failed to outline any realistic framework for cushioning the impact on Nigerians.
He maintained that the removal of fuel subsidy was an inevitable and necessary decision to rescue Nigeria’s economy from fiscal collapse, describing the former subsidy regime as an unsustainable system that benefited only a privileged few while denying the country resources needed for critical national development.
Yilwatda urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing confidence that the temporary hardship resulting from the reforms would eventually give way to sustainable economic growth, fiscal stability and shared national prosperity.
He said courageous leadership requires making difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions in the overall interest of the people, adding that President Tinubu had demonstrated exceptional courage by implementing reforms that previous administrations acknowledged were necessary but lacked the political will to execute.
According to him, the current economic difficulties represent the short-term consequences of reforms aimed at correcting years of structural distortions, insisting that the long-term benefits would far outweigh the present sacrifices.
Highlighting some achievements of the administration, Yilwatda described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the most transformative social intervention programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that millions of students across tertiary institutions had benefited from the scheme irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation, thereby expanding access to higher education and easing the financial burden on families.
He also stated that the reforms had promoted greater fiscal discipline among citizens by encouraging prudent spending, responsible financial planning and a renewed culture of productivity. He added that increased allocations to states and other sub-national governments had strengthened their capacity to pay salaries, execute infrastructure projects and deliver meaningful development to their people.
While acknowledging the temporary hardship occasioned by the reforms, the APC chairman appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and united, stressing that lasting national transformation requires resilience, sacrifice and collective commitment.
The award ceremony also recognised outstanding public service within the Office of the APC National Chairman.
Comrade Jubrin Bancir, Personal Private Secretary to Yilwatda, received the Most Outstanding Personal Private Secretary in Nigerian Politics Award in recognition of his professionalism, commitment to duty and leadership.
Also honoured was Caroline Omeashem, Secretary in the Office of the APC National Chairman, who won the Most Outstanding Award in Confidentiality and Professional Service for her diligence, administrative excellence and dedication to duty.
Earlier, the Convener of the awards, Hon. Uko Miracle, commended President Tinubu and the APC leadership for what he described as remarkable achievements since assuming office. He disclosed that his organisation had documented the administration’s performance through engagements with Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the country, culminating in the publication of a magazine highlighting the President’s achievements.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Abbas applauded the organisers for recognising excellence in public service and praised the Renewed Hope Agenda for its impact on Nigerians. She also commended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to women empowerment and support for small and medium-scale enterprises, describing women’s economic empowerment as vital to sustainable national development.
