A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State Olatunbosun Oyintiloye has said President Bola Tinubu deserves encouragement from Nigerians rather than harsh criticism over the ongoing economic reforms.
Oyintiloye in a statement on Sunday in Osogbo said Tinubu means well for Nigerians and should not be blamed as though he were the cause of the country’s economic challenges.
The APC chieftain acknowledged the prevailing economic hardship but said the President was working to address the situation.
He said the major economic reforms Tinubu introduced including removing the fuel subsidy and floating the naira were meant to stabilise the economy for Nigerians’ benefit.
He added that although the policies are tough they are necessary and have begun to yield positive results.
‘What the President needs at this point is our encouragement not harsh criticism or name-calling.
‘What he met when he assumed office was a battered economy and since then he has been working round the clock to address the economic crisis.
‘We should all remember that he was not the architect of the current economic challenges we are facing and he cannot solve all the problems at once’ he said.
Oyintiloye a former lawmaker in the Osun State House of Assembly also urged opposition figures using the prevailing economic challenges to campaign against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election to reconsider.
He claimed none of the opposition candidates seeking the presidency in 2027 can outperform Tinubu given their antecedents in past political offices.
‘It would therefore be unwise to weaponise the current economic challenges which the President is trying to address against his presidential ambition’ he said.
Oyintiloye however urged the President to do everything within his power to alleviate Nigerians’ suffering.
He acknowledged that despite the administration’s efforts to improve the economy many Nigerians are still experiencing severe hardship.
He advised the President to review social intervention programmes targeting vulnerable groups and to strengthen other economic policies to ease the burden on the masses.
Oyintiloye expressed optimism that Tinubu would secure a landslide victory in the 2027 presidential election citing what he described as the President’s achievements across sectors.
He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the President and to support his efforts to move the country forward.