The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu's administration, rejecting calls by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for a change in direction and insisting that Nigeria requires policy continuity to sustain ongoing recovery efforts.
The party said abandoning the current reforms in favour of a fresh economic agenda would derail the gains already being recorded, urging Nigerians to support the consolidation of existing policies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, stated this on Monday while responding to comments made by Obi during an interview on Channels Television.
Obi had argued that Nigeria was on the wrong path under President Tinubu, describing the administration's policies as a "failure and renewed hopelessness." He maintained that the country needed a different leadership approach to tackle its economic and governance challenges.
Reacting, Arodiogbu said the Tinubu administration had taken difficult but necessary decisions to address deep-rooted economic problems and lay the foundation for long-term growth.
According to him, reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate liberalisation and fiscal restructuring were designed to restore macroeconomic stability and attract investment into the economy.
He maintained that while the measures had imposed temporary hardship on Nigerians, they were beginning to deliver positive outcomes that should not be interrupted.
"The priority for Nigeria should be the consolidation of ongoing economic gains, not the laying of a new foundation," Arodiogbu said.
He argued that Obi's call for a complete policy shift ignored the progress already achieved through the government's reform programme and risked reversing the country's economic trajectory.
The APC chieftain further accused the former Anambra State governor of repeatedly highlighting Nigeria's challenges without offering realistic alternatives that reflected the country's current economic realities.
He said what Nigeria needed at this stage was leadership that would sustain reforms, deepen revenue generation, expand infrastructure and build on the progress already made.
Arodiogbu urged Nigerians to judge political leaders on the basis of their performance in public office, their policy direction and their ability to deliver measurable development rather than campaign rhetoric.
He also argued that continued implementation of the Federal Government's reform agenda would benefit all regions of the country, including the South-East, through improved economic stability and greater investment opportunities.
Calling for greater national unity, Arodiogbu urged political leaders to put the country's interests ahead of partisan politics, stressing that investor confidence and job creation depended largely on consistent and predictable government policies.
He expressed confidence that the benefits of the reforms would become more evident in the coming months through increased investment, improved productivity and broader economic opportunities for Nigerians.
The APC vice chairman reiterated the ruling party's support for President Tinubu's economic agenda, saying the administration remained committed to refining its policies where necessary while maintaining the overall direction of its reform programme.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and continue backing the government's efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth and development ahead of the 2027 elections.
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