Support Tinubu’s economic reforms, APC chieftain urges Nigerians - Punch Newspapers

A member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Tolu Bankole, has urged Nigerians not to abandon the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, saying sustained implementation is necessary for the policies to translate into lasting prosperity. Bankole, who is also the APC National Leader for Persons with Disabilities and Secretary of the Subcommittee of the APC National Campaign Council for Osun, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The APC chieftain, while welcoming Tinubu back to the country after his working vacation abroad, said the President’s return should mark renewed focus on implementing the administration’s policies and ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians. He argued that although the reforms had imposed sacrifices, abandoning them before their effects were fully realised could undermine the progress already recorded. “Reforms are never easy, and like the President said, Nigeria is now on a steady trajectory. Nigeria recorded 3.89% real GDP growth in Q1 2026 compared to 3.13 per cent in Q1 2025, with manufacturing growing by 3.29% year-on-year.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google “The CBN, at its September 21-22 meeting, reduced the Monetary Policy Rate to 23 per cent, with inflation currently at 15.39 per cent. These are not just figures; they show that stability is returning and that the economy is moving in the right direction,” he stated. Bankole consequently urged Nigerians to support the APC-led government in the forthcoming general elections, arguing that continued implementation would give the reforms more time to produce tangible benefits. He said, “That is why Nigerians must throw their weight behind the APC-led government in the forthcoming general elections so that the macroeconomic foundations can be fully felt in our markets, farms, factories, streets and homes.” The former lawmaker also cited the Central Bank of Nigeria’s foreign exchange reforms, including the unification of the market and clearance of verified backlogs, as part of the measures he said were helping to strengthen the economy. Obasa rallies voters for APC, urges support for Tinubu, Hamzat 2027: Ondo APC elders warn Aiyedatiwa, Tunji-Ojo supporters against division Nigeria@66: Plateau gov pardons 130 inmates “I have also followed the CBN’s forex reforms — the unification of the market, clearance of verified backlogs, and measures to improve transparency — which helped grow our external reserves from $33.6bn in October 2023 to $37.9bn by July 2024. “Beyond that, the Petroleum Industry Act, the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and the banking recapitalisation programme remain critical anchors for revenue, investment and resilience,” he argued. According to him, the reforms could ultimately improve business stability, investor confidence, employment and access to credit, while providing government with more resources to fund infrastructure and social programmes. He said Nigerians should understand that economic transformation was a gradual process requiring consistency. The APC chieftain said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that the sacrifices associated with the reforms result in improved living standards. “I understand clearly that transformation does not happen overnight. It takes time, discipline and consistency for foundations to become prosperity that people can feel. “The goal is simple: the sacrifices of today must lead to real, measurable prosperity for every household tomorrow. “President Tinubu has returned to more work, not less. The task ahead is to build on what is working, fix what needs fixing, and make sure growth reaches everyone,” he said. Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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