Tinubu means well, let’s give him time to rescue Nigeria—Tunji-Ojo
In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo urged Nigerians to be patient and give President Bola Tinubu more time to tackle the nation’s economic challenges. Addressing growing discontent and the planned August protests against economic hardship, Tunji-Ojo emphasized the complexity and historical depth of Nigeria’s economic issues.
“Mr. President, to the best of my knowledge, never campaigned to be a magician; he campaigned as a statesman, he campaigned on the basis of ‘Renewed Hope’. Before hope could be renewed, it had dwindled,” Tunji-Ojo stated. He underscored that solving economic problems rooted in decades of mismanagement cannot be achieved overnight. “What you see today is an accumulated mismanagement over the last 100, 60, 30 years,” he added.
The minister’s plea for patience comes amid skyrocketing prices of food and basic commodities, a situation exacerbated by the government’s recent economic policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of forex windows. These measures, though intended to stabilize and strengthen the economy in the long run, have sparked one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises in recent memory.
Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the immediate hardships these policies have caused but insisted that they are necessary steps for the nation’s long-term health. “Nigeria is going through a surgical process and will emerge healthy and strong. We are pleading for time,” he said.
As social media fuels the momentum for nationwide protests, scheduled to occur across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the minister called for calm and dialogue. He appealed to those intending to participate in the protests to prioritize patriotism and explore all avenues of engagement and dialogue before resorting to nationwide demonstrations.
“The President means well for the nation and has taken bold decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy which he described as a cancer,” Tunji-Ojo noted. He emphasized that rebuilding the economy requires patience and steadfast effort, and urged citizens to support the government’s initiatives aimed at long-term prosperity.
As Nigeria navigates these turbulent economic waters, the administration’s call for patience underscores the immense challenge of reversing decades of economic decline and mismanagement. The road to recovery may be long, but the government remains hopeful that with time and strategic interventions, the nation will emerge stronger and more resilient.
