APC claims Tinubu has outperformed all elected presidents, triggering fresh economic debate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic record, with the ruling party claiming that his administration has performed better in its first term than any previous democratically elected government in Nigeria.

The claim has renewed debate over the impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, exchange-rate reforms and efforts to increase government revenue, amid continuing concerns over the high cost of living.

APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka made the assertion during a television appearance, arguing that the administration inherited a deeply troubled economy and had taken difficult decisions to reposition it.

According to Morka, the results of the reforms speak for themselves.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has outperformed any president in his first term. He has outperformed any democratically elected president in this country in their terms,” he said.

He invoked the legal expression res ipsa loquitur, meaning “the thing speaks for itself”, to argue that the administration’s performance could be judged from economic indicators.

The ruling party has consistently presented the removal of petrol subsidy and the reform of the foreign exchange system as necessary measures to address longstanding structural weaknesses in the Nigerian economy.

President Tinubu has also maintained that reversing the subsidy removal would undermine the country’s finances. Speaking recently at the State House, he argued that the policy had helped improve government finances and provide states with greater resources to meet their obligations.

Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the removal of petrol subsidy generated about ₦15.8 trillion in additional resources for the Federation between June 2023 and December 2025.

The administration has also pointed to increased revenue, infrastructure spending and investments in areas such as healthcare, education, transportation and student financing as evidence of the reforms’ impact.

Despite the government’s argument that its reforms are laying the foundation for long-term economic stability, millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with higher food, transportation, energy and housing costs.

The removal of the petrol subsidy contributed to a sharp increase in fuel prices and transportation costs, while the naira’s exchange-rate adjustment increased the cost of imported goods and inputs for businesses.

These pressures have fuelled criticism from opposition parties, labour organisations and civil society groups, which argue that macroeconomic reforms must eventually translate into noticeable improvements in household living standards.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election and now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has continued to criticise the country’s economic management, pointing to food insecurity and other socioeconomic challenges as evidence of governance shortcomings.

Beyond the economy, the Tinubu administration’s record is also being assessed against its performance in tackling insecurity and delivering infrastructure.

Government officials have highlighted ongoing security operations against banditry, kidnapping and insurgency, while also pointing to road construction, housing, rail projects and other infrastructure initiatives.

However, attacks, kidnappings and communal conflicts continue to affect several parts of the country, leaving security a major issue for voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

With political activities intensifying ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the debate over Tinubu’s performance is expected to become increasingly central to the campaigns.

The APC is likely to campaign on its economic reforms, increased government revenues and investments, while opposition parties are expected to focus on inflation, unemployment, insecurity and the rising cost of living.

Recent political developments have already demonstrated that economic and governance issues could influence voter sentiment. In the August 15 Osun governorship election, incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke defeated APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, with Adeleke receiving 511,067 votes against Oyebamiji’s 444,815, according to results announced by INEC.

The contrasting narratives mean that the 2027 election is likely to become, in part, a referendum on whether Nigerians believe the government’s difficult economic reforms are producing meaningful improvements — or whether the costs have outweighed the benefits.

For the APC, the challenge will be convincing voters that the gains from the reforms will ultimately translate into better living conditions. For the opposition, the task will be demonstrating that an alternative economic approach can deliver relief without reversing measures they criticise.