By Yakubu Dati
Last week’s promise by opposition political parties to form a coalition to work against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term did nothing to resonate with the masses.
Unlike in the past, where the opposition has something to hold on to, this time, other than appealing to base sentiments, they offered nothing in terms of better ideas for improving the economy, strengthening the naira or securing the country.
This is because in all these crucial aspects, President Tinubu has shown that his ideas are the most pragmatic and result oriented ones to move the country forward.
After assuming office, the President has undertaken significant reforms and initiatives which have attracted both domestic and international attentions.
More foreign investors have indicated interest in coming to Nigeria within a short while due to the fact there are significant figures to back claims of huge progress in the security situation of the country. The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu has said the military and intelligence agencies have made significant gains in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts under President Bola Tinubu. He disclosed that over 13,543 terrorists and other criminal elements have been killed across Nigeria since May 2023.
Ribadu also revealed that no fewer than 124,408 fighters of Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State in West Africa Province, along with their family members, have surrendered to Nigerian forces and are undergoing rehabilitation through the government’s de-radicalisation and reintegration programme.
“We have so far recovered and destroyed 252,596 rounds of assorted ammunition,” he stated.
Compare this with what the current administration met on ground where the insurgency in the Northeast, which began in 2009, had led to the deaths of over 350,000 people—both directly and indirectly—according to United Nations estimates, and displaced over two million.
The NSA attributes the improved security situation to enhanced inter-agency collaboration, increased investment in intelligence gathering, and political will.
While these measures have attracted endorsements and support from various quarters, including opposition-serving governors and members of the National Assembly, they have also elicited envy from the opposition.
Despite these, the opposition elements prefer to live in denial.
The assembly of strange political bedfellows realising they have been carpeted by the altruistic landmarks gains of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration have resorted to downplaying them.
The fact that President Tinubu’s economic reforms by eliminating the longstanding fuel subsidy, is saving approximately $10 billion annually for Nigeria is an area they don’t want to talk about.
These funds have been redirected to the federal, state and local governments towards healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security.
It is under this administration that minimum wage has been increased from #30,000.00 to #80,000.00 with appropriate commensurate quadrupled income to the three tiers of government.
The records are there!
The Foreign Exchange Unification ended multiple exchange rates, leading to increased investor confidence and allowing the central bank to settle a $7 billion backlog in foreign exchange. These courageous realignments have resulted in revenue growth: Aggregate government revenues more than doubled, increasing by over ₦9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
In the area of infrastructure development, the current administration initiated major projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Highway, aiming to connect 16 states and boost economic activities. The railway expansion commenced operations of the Port Harcourt-Aba rail line, enhancing regional connectivity.
The Social Welfare and Youth Empowerment received a boost with the Student Loan Scheme witnessing the Higher Education Loan Scheme, with over 1.2 million students benefiting. The Conditional Cash Transfers: Provided ₦25,000 monthly to 15 million vulnerable households for three months to cushion the effects of economic reforms. In addition, the government introduced youth programmes and initiatives like the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) and the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) to enhance skills and employment opportunities.
While the Agricultural and Food Security Initiatives benefitted from the National Agricultural Development Fund, established with ₦100 billion to address agricultural financing challenges.
Already the Dry Season Farming Initiative is being implemented on 500,000 hectares of farmland, financed by the African Development Bank with $134 million.
As the healthcare and education expansion plans to increase the number of primary health centres from 8,800 to 17,000 over the next three years, the approval of ₦37.4 billion for establishing six oncology centres nationwide is gradually coming on stream.
This is where the coalition of opposition elements and disgruntled supporters have met a brick wall as they have nothing to campaign against the president, who, rather than play to the gallery, has continued to take the hard decisions to prioritise national development.
yakubudati@gmail.com
