Gov. Namadi applauds Tinubu’s economic reforms, Others debate Nigeria’s democratic progress

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has expressed strong commendation for President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform programmes, asserting their vital role in repositioning Nigeria for enviable social and economic development.

Speaking in Dutse on Wednesday, while appraising Tinubu’s two years in office, Governor Namadi described the administration’s leadership as “rewarding and promising” for its efforts to salvage Nigeria from myriad challenges.

According to Governor Namadi, a leader must possess the courage to make decisions that will benefit their people in the long run. “President Bola Tinubu’s two years in office have been rewarding and promising,” he stated. “Why we are saying this is that a leader must be very bold to be able to take decisions in the interest of his people, and for long term benefits. In Nigeria, we need transformation, and this has to be driven by someone who is bold to make decisions. At the early stage of such decisions, people may misinterpret them, but in the long run they will benefit everybody.”

Namadi specifically highlighted the fuel subsidy removal and the unification of the Foreign Exchange Rate (FOREX) as bold decisions that distinguish the Tinubu administration from its predecessors.

He stressed that these actions, which he believes should have been taken by previous administrations, have significantly improved government revenues for the overall benefit of citizens.

“Now, the removal of the subsidy has come with a lot of clear impacts, at the national level the amount of money that’s coming into the federation account has improved greatly. It is an important gesture that helped in financing infrastructural development in the country,” he added.

The Governor also noted that the unification of the FOREX has helped stabilize the Naira, thereby encouraging economic activities at both national and grassroots levels.

Furthermore, Governor Namadi praised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies for fostering the growth of small businesses and agricultural activities through viable interventions, often in partnership with development partners.

He cited the Wheat Production Programme, implemented with the African Development Bank (AfDB), as a prime example, proudly stating, “Today; Jigawa is number one in wheat production in Nigeria, due to the intervention by the Federal Government. The federal government is also coming up with a similar programme on rice and livestock. So, the two years of President Bola Tinubu are rewarding, and I’m sure over the next few years, more things will come and Nigerians will be happy.”

However, as Nigeria observes Democracy Day, diverse perspectives on the nation’s democratic journey emerged.

Dahiru Sulaiman, a journalist, urged all levels of government to prioritize security, employment generation, human, and infrastructural development to sustain the gains of the Tinubu administration.

Sulaiman emphasized that “democracy is all about good governance and social justice,” but lamented, “Unfortunately; there is no rule of law in our democracy, which is the foundation of any segment of society. Corruption is high, lack of employment and so on.”

Similarly, Ahmed Deba, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, underscored the importance of unity for sustainable democratic governance. “As we reflect on this Democracy Day, we must renew our commitment towards building institutions that serve the people. Democracy is not an event, it’s a process that must be nurtured with justice, fairness, and equity.”

In contrast, Mr. Kyari Jitau, a Public Relations Manager, contended that Nigeria is yet to achieve true democracy.

Jitau argued that while Nigerians successfully ended military dictatorships and achieved popular government, they still lack genuine democratic rule.

He attributed this to the lingering influence of long years of military rule, causing many political leaders to behave like military rulers, taking decisions contrary to the interest of their people.

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“Democracy is a system of government where leaders unchain their people chained by other forms of government,” he posited.

He urged political parties to maintain internal democracy to promote the growth of democratic culture, citing the APC’s declaration of Tinubu as the flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election and the PDP’s similar action for Jonathan in 2015 as examples of democratic shortcomings.

Rebecca Mu’azu and William’s Atta, residents of Gombe, attributed the lack of sustainable democratic progress to the poor attitudes of political leaders.

Mu’azu asserted that the country has recorded minimal progress since the return of civilian administration due to a lack of quality leadership from elected officials.

“Presently, there is no decorum because the politicians are doing whatever they like to serve their interests at the detriment of popular wishes. Many politicians come to power at all costs to fulfil personal ambitions, and not to give good leadership to the people. That’s why most Nigerians are not feeling the dividend of democracy,” she said. While acknowledging progress in rights protection since 1999, Mu’azu urged political leaders to imbibe positive attitudes to consolidate the gains of democratic governance.

“Politicians must listen to the masses and ensure that the people’s interest is the only priority why they should seek power.” Attah, likewise, advised politicians to develop a people-oriented mindset when seeking elective positions, rather than pursuing personal interests.