The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms by comparing Nigeria’s current state to “a child learning to crawl before walking”.
The ruling party acknowledged hardships faced by Nigerians but insisted the country is on the right path toward recovery.
Speaking during a question-and-answer session with journalists at the party secretariat, National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the economic reforms introduced by President Tinubu were not politically motivated but rather strategic interventions aimed at laying the foundation for long-term national prosperity.
He argued that Nigeria is still in the early phases of a necessary recovery process, saying: “A child who is crawling is doing exactly what a child is expected to do,” Morka said, in response to a question on when Nigerians will begin to feel the impact of government policies. “By crawling, the child is strengthening their body to walk. The same principle applies to our economy.”
He attributed high cost of food and inflation to generational problems inherited by the Tinubu administration, saying the fuel subsidy regime and debt servicing obligations left Nigeria economically “mortgaged.”
Morka said, “President Tinubu took a hard decision others avoided. While previous leaders only removed subsidies incrementally to free up cash, Tinubu did it to resolve structural problems.”
Morka, in a statement to mark the mid-term anniversary of the Tinubu administration, argued that Nigeria is now firmly on the path of sustained growth and development, despite early challenges and discomfort caused by critical policy adjustments.
“President Tinubu is not just leading; he is charting a road less travelled—one that breaks away from decades of policy inertia and tokenism. The administration has tackled vexing national issues head-on with uncommon political will, guided by the broader interest of current and future generations,” Morka said.
The party identified the reforms to include the removal of fuel subsidies, harmonization of exchange rates, and clearance of foreign exchange and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) debts. These, it said, have begun to reverse long-standing structural distortions in the economy and restore investor confidence.
According to the statement, Nigeria’s economy has shown strong signs of recovery, with a GDP growth of 3.38% in Q4 2024 and trade surpluses recorded in consecutive quarters since 2023. The APC noted that these outcomes have earned international endorsements from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and African Development Bank (AfDB).
In the area of infrastructure, Morka highlighted over 270 completed road projects and several flagship highways and rail projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and the Kano-Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail Line.
On security, the APC said President Tinubu’s administration has recorded remarkable successes in counter-terrorism operations, with over 13,500 terrorists neutralized and nearly 18,000 arrests made. It added that displaced persons are returning home, food prices are stabilizing, and peace is gradually returning to troubled regions.
On the issue of insecurity, Morka said, “Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralized and thousands of hostages rescued. This is not a conventional war. These enemies are embedded within civilian populations — it’s a complex situation.”
The party also praised efforts in health, education, aviation, and social welfare. Key interventions include N80bn disbursed to revitalize 8,000 primary health centres, introduction of free Caesarean Section initiatives, the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and a new minimum wage of N70,000. The APC emphasised that reforms under Tinubu’s leadership are setting the foundation for long-term stability and prosperity, despite transitional pains.
“The gloom of past years has given way to renewed optimism and hope. The second half of President Tinubu’s tenure will focus on deepening reforms, completing legacy projects, and fully actualizing the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement added.
He dismissed accusations of early political campaigning, saying recent endorsements of President Tinubu by party stakeholders do not equate to pre-election activities. “A vote of confidence is not campaigning. It is routine. People should not conflate internal party support with campaign activity,” he said.
