A former chairperson of the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO), Marcel Ngogbehei, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, describing them as necessary steps towards achieving Nigeria’s long-term economic stability and sustainable growth.
Ngogbehei, who previously organised activities for the Obidient Movement and worked with the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 elections, urged Nigerians to assess the administration’s policies objectively rather than allowing political affiliations to influence their judgment.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference following his recent appointment as director-general of the Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS).
According to him, the country’s economic realities before Tinubu assumed office must be considered when evaluating the rationale, immediate consequences and potential long-term benefits of the administration’s decisions.
“We are not defending Tinubu as a person. We are looking at the initiatives his government is taking and asking ourselves whether, based on the circumstances in which he got into power, they are the right moves or the wrong moves,” he said.
Challenging critics of the administration, Ngogbehei asked them to explain what alternative measures they would have adopted if they were in power.
“If you say they are the wrong moves, if you were there, what would you do differently? If you say it’s the right moves, then why antagonise him? He’s bold enough to take initiatives that most leaders have run away from,” he added.
The former Obidient organiser said the press conference was intended to promote an open, evidence-based discussion about the economic challenges inherited by the Tinubu administration, the policies introduced to address them and their implications for Nigerians in both the short and long term.
He specifically cited the removal of the petrol subsidy and efforts to address monetary excesses as difficult decisions requiring political courage, although he acknowledged that such measures could impose immediate hardships on citizens.
“For once, I call upon Nigerians to come; let’s have this discussion openly, transparently. Let’s have sincere, honest and factual analysis of what he met, what he has done, the short-term impact, and what the possible long-term implication is for the country,” Ngogbehei said.
Also speaking at the event, the TMS National Director of Mobilisation and Data Management, Ibrahim Uba, said the organisation would intensify efforts to educate Nigerians about government programmes and projects aimed at delivering sustainable socioeconomic development.
Uba cited gross domestic product (GDP) growth and other economic indicators as evidence of progress under the administration, rejecting claims that the government had abandoned Nigerians following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He also highlighted government interventions aimed at moderating food prices, the deployment of military equipment to strengthen security operations and ongoing road construction projects across several states.
According to him, the initiatives reflect the administration’s efforts to address economic challenges, improve infrastructure and strengthen national security.
Uba said the organisation would sustain its nationwide public enlightenment campaign on the government’s reforms, urging Nigerians across political divides to participate in constructive discussions about the country’s economic direction and development priorities.
