•“He did what Obasanjo, Jonathan, and Buhari feared to do,’ says APC Institute DG
•Party credits subsidy removal for ending states’ reliance on loans for salaries
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a robust defense of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, characterizing his tenure as a departure from “populist politics” toward “transformational statesmanship.”
In a high-level briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the ruling party expressed profound satisfaction with the burgeoning security partnership between the Federal Government and the United States of America. This collaboration, the party argues, has become a cornerstone in the systematic dismantling of insurgency and banditry across the federation.
The Statesman vs. The Politician
Speaking at the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jade and Jaydens Services Ltd and The APC Progressives Institute (TPI), the Institute’s Director General, Mr. Lanre Adebayo, argued that President Tinubu has shattered a decades-long cycle of executive indecision.
Adebayo contended that while previous leaders prioritized their popularity ratings, Tinubu chose the “painful but necessary” path of economic surgery.
“President Tinubu acted as a statesman, not a mere politician, when he embarked on these reforms,” Adebayo declared. “Politicians are perpetually worried about the next election and the temporary loss of popularity. Statesmen, however, are preoccupied with the next generation and the long-term survival of the nation.”
He drew a sharp contrast between the current administration and its predecessors, citing the failed Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) of the military era and the aborted reform attempts under Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.
“We remember the billions spent by the Obasanjo administration to sensitize the public on privatization and subsidy removal, only for the government to develop cold feet at the last minute due to the political cost. President Buhari and President Jonathan faced the same crossroads and turned back. On May 29, 2023, President Tinubu chose to confront the monster. He freed our resources from the cage of consumption and redirected them toward production.”
Ending the “Borrowing for Salaries” Era
The APC further claimed that the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the forex window have effectively “de-bankrupted” the tiers of government.
Adebayo noted that prior to the 2023 reforms, the majority of Nigeria’s 36 state governors were trapped in a cycle of borrowing from commercial banks just to meet monthly wage obligations.
“Today, that narrative has changed. No state government is borrowing to pay salaries anymore. Because of the bold decision to stop subsidizing consumption, state and local governments now have significantly more resources. We are seeing a massive surge in infrastructure development across the zones. While people may debate the priorities of different governors, the fact remains that the funds are now available to work for the people,” he stated.
The US Partnership and Security Gains
On the security front, the party maintained that the administration’s “aggressive” investment strategy is yielding dividends. Highlighting the 2026 budget allocation of N760 billion for new projects and arms procurement, the APC praised the technical synergy with the United States.
“Security is on an upward trajectory,” Adebayo asserted. “Every nation faces threats, but our capacity to neutralize bandits has improved significantly. Our collaboration with the US in intelligence, retraining, and the procurement of advanced hardware is producing results on the frontlines. We must appreciate our security forces who are now better equipped than at any other time in our recent history.”
Grassroots Affirmation
Echoing this sentiment, the Chairman of the Progressive Local Government Chairmen Forum and Chairman of Chanchaga LG in Niger State, Hon. Mustapha Jibril, emphasized that the impact of these reforms is beginning to trickle down to the grassroots.
Despite acknowledging the security hurdles still facing parts of the North-Central, Jibril noted that the federal response has been “decisive and encouraging.”
“Local government chairmen are the pulse of the nation. We see what the people face daily,” Jibril said. “The President has delved into areas his predecessors avoided for decades. Our role now is to ensure that these landmark achievements are communicated clearly to every citizen at the ward level. The message is loud and clear: the foundation for a prosperous Nigeria is finally being laid.”
The APC Progressives Institute noted that the newly signed MoU is part of a broader strategy to institutionalize these reforms and ensure they are sustained beyond the current political cycle.
