Fayemi Extols Tinubu’s Leadership Amid Opposition Resistance to Reforms

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has commended President Bola Tinubu for effectively implementing economic reforms, noting the stark contrast with former President Goodluck Jonathan’s experience with subsidy removal.

Fayemi highlighted that political considerations had hindered the rollout of fuel subsidy removal during Jonathan’s administration, despite its potential economic benefits.

“We in the ACN didn’t force GEJ to drop his policy. It was GEJ who wasn’t able to convince Nigerians about its benefits,” Fayemi said.

“When the opposition, which leveraged this issue during the 2023 campaigns, saw Tinubu implementing similar reforms, they again resisted, mobilising career rioters and labour unions. Yet, undeterred, Tinubu successfully marketed his policies without waiting for their approval.”

The governor emphasised that Tinubu’s approach is yielding visible results, with key economic indicators now trending positively, and reforms gaining wider acceptance among Nigerians.

Subsidy removal has long been a contentious issue in Nigeria, often sparking nationwide protests. Critics argue that abrupt changes to fuel pricing can increase living costs, while proponents maintain that subsidy reforms free government resources for infrastructure, health, and education.

Tinubu’s administration, Fayemi noted, has focused on communicating these benefits effectively to the public.

“Just as the opposition isn’t expected to promote Tinubu’s policies, the President is also not required to mediate the ongoing quarrels within the opposition,” Fayemi said.

He added that conceiving effective policies is relatively common, but the capacity to implement them successfully despite resistance distinguishes true leaders.

“Ability to conceive a good idea is a common attribute, but the ability to weather the storm and push your policies successfully is a reserved attribute of leaders,” Fayemi concluded.