—Gains from reforms must be secured for future generations — First Lady
–As ex-Plateau governor says subsidy removal painful but necessary
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
ABUJA —FORMER Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Thursday urged Nigerians to sustain President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda beyond 2027, saying the tough measures already rolled out need more time to yield their full benefits.
As Lalong asked Nigerians to re-elect the president in 2027 to allow him finish his reforms, the First Lady emphasized the need to consolidate the administration’s achievements for the benefit of today’s and tomorrow’s citizens.
They spoke at the National Summit of the Forum of All Progressives Congress Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (APC-FOPSHAN), held at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The forum, attended by former and serving presiding officers of state legislatures and other political stakeholders, was held under the theme, “Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope.”
Senator Lalong, who was a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, argued that President Tinubu had demonstrated the courage to confront structural economic problems previous administrations had struggled to resolve, particularly the petrol subsidy regime.
According to him: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has exemplified those bold steps and come 2027, Nigerians will reward him to complete the great work.”
Senator Lalong, who was a special guests of honour at the event stated that the President chose economic reform over political convenience by announcing the removal of petrol subsidy on May 29, 2023, despite the immediate consequences for households and businesses.
“For decades, Nigeria consumed what we did not produce. We succeeded in making our future children pay for cheap petrol,” he said.
“Everyone knew the truth but no leader had the courage to confront it.”
He said subsidy removal represented one of the most difficult economic decisions taken in recent years, but its significance went beyond ending government expenditure on subsidised petrol.
“It was not an easy decision. It was not a political convenient decision. But sometimes, leadership is tested not by the decisions that are easy to make, but by the courage to make decisions that the moment demands,” he said.
He said the fundamental question confronting the country was how to redirect public resources from consumption towards investments capable of expanding productive capacity.
“The real significance of subsidy removal therefore is not simply that one subsidy disappeared. It is that Nigeria has been compelled to confront a fundamental question: how do we move from consuming public resources to investing these resources in productive capacity for our nation?” Lalong said.
The former governor said political leaders must also accept responsibility for explaining the rationale behind the reforms to Nigerians rather than leaving the government alone to defend difficult policy choices.
“Our duty today goes beyond assessment. Our duty is to be ambassadors of this difficult but necessary reform,” he said.
“President Tinubu has done his part by taking the bold decision. Our part is to help our people understand that the pains of today are the gains of tomorrow.
“We must tell Nigerians that bold leadership is not about being popular today, it is about being right for society.”
Lalong said the next challenge was ensuring that resources made available through the reforms were invested in sectors capable of expanding production, creating jobs and improving living standards.
“We must invest in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, education, energy, and technology,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria must create an environment in which citizens can produce more, businesses can expand and young people can access meaningful economic opportunities.
He also placed responsibility on the legislature, saying lawmakers must scrutinise government expenditure, strengthen oversight and ensure that citizens’ concerns remain central to the implementation of the reforms.
Lalong called for greater fiscal responsibility, stronger democratic institutions and sustained efforts to strengthen the autonomy and capacity of national institutions.
He said history would judge the current period by how political leaders responded to Nigeria’s longstanding structural challenges.
“This is one of those periods President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has chosen the path of reform. The road has required difficult decisions, but the responsibility of leadership is not to avoid every difficulty. It is to confront the structural challenges that have held the country back and begin the work of building something more sustainable,” he said.
Lalong described the administration’s reform journey as an attempt to move Nigeria away from dependency, consumption and short-term interventions towards productivity, investment and long-term economic transformation.
“The journey from subsidy to Renewed Hope is a journey from dependency to productivity, from consumption to investment, and from short-term fix to long-term economic transformation,” he said.
“It is a journey that requires courage from the executive, responsibility from the legislatures, discipline across government and patience from the people.”
He added: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated the courage to begin this difficult journey. Our responsibility is to ensure that reforms succeed, that their gains are consolidated, and that Nigerians emerge stronger, more productive, more prosperous.”
The First Lady, who was Special Guest of Honour, similarly said the administration had been working to reposition the economy and establish foundations for sustainable national development.
“Since the inception of this administration, Mr. President has worked tirelessly to reposition our economy and lay a solid foundation for sustainable national development,” Mrs Tinubu said.
“Nation-building is a continuous process, and the gains already recorded must be consolidated for the benefit of present and future generations.”
She also welcomed the forum’s endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term, saying the support carried particular significance because it came from former legislative leaders familiar with the demands of governance and the difficulties associated with major policy decisions.
“I especially acknowledge and appreciate your endorsement of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office. Coming from men and women who have themselves presided over legislative institutions, your endorsement carries special significance,” she said.
“You understand the demands of governance, the difficulty of making critical decisions, and the courage required to pursue reforms in the national interest.”
The First Lady added: “On behalf of Mr. President, I thank you for this expression of confidence, support and goodwill.”
Mrs Tinubu also challenged former Speakers and Deputy Speakers not to withdraw from public service simply because they had left elective office, saying the country still required their institutional experience and networks.
“Leaving political office should never mean leaving public service. Nigeria still needs your wisdom, experience, and networks,” she said.
She urged them to use the forum to preserve institutional memory, mentor younger legislators, promote democratic stability and continue contributing to development in communities where they had served.
The First Lady, who accepted her designation as Grand Patron of the forum, commended its National Chairman, Senator Wasiu Sanni-Eshilokun, Board of Trustees and leadership for bringing former legislative leaders together.
She expressed hope that the summit would strengthen cooperation among members and create a platform for continued contributions to national unity and democratic development.
“May this Summit strengthen the bonds among you and open a new chapter of meaningful contribution to our nation, promote national unity and strengthen our democracy,” she said.
Lalong, said sustaining the reforms required commitment across government and patience from citizens.
“The time for bold leadership is now. The time for bold reform is now. And the time to build a stronger, more productive and more prosperous Nigeria is now,” he said.
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