Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Gbajabiamila, has acknowledged the economic difficulties facing Nigerians but insisted that President Bola Tinubu’s reforms are necessary to secure the country’s long-term prosperity.
He made the argument on Tuesday, November 10, during the presentation of the APC’s 2027 manifesto, titled From Reforms to Prosperity, in Abuja.
Gbajabiamila, who is the President’s Chief of Staff, admitted that the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system had placed considerable financial pressure on households.
He, however, maintained that reversing the policies would undermine efforts to rebuild the economy and create opportunities for future generations.
“Now, those decisions have placed real pressure on households. We must speak honestly about that experience, because the people living through it deserve to be heard, and nobody should have to pretend that it’s easy, that life is easy at the moment,” he said.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives argued that Tinubu’s decision to implement the reforms demonstrated a willingness to prioritise the country’s future over immediate political gains.
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“The difference between a politician and a leader is that whereas the politician thinks about the next election, a leader thinks about the next generation,” he said.
Gbajabiamila stressed that the government must now translate the opportunities created by the policies into improvements in citizens’ living conditions.
He identified the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, tax reforms and the Electricity Act as measures expected to expand access to opportunities and improve public services.
He also said the APC manifesto contained commitments to reduce the number of out-of-school children by 50 per cent by 2031, provide seven million additional electricity meters and expand health insurance coverage.
The Chief of Staff added that the government would be expected to set measurable targets, assign responsibilities and regularly inform Nigerians about its progress.
“Citizens should be able to see where delivery is succeeding and where it is falling short,” he said.