As Nigerians grapple with economic challenges, Senator Uche Ekwunife has come to the defense of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging Nigerians to look beyond his administration when assigning blame.
In a conversation with journalists on Saturday, Ekwunife, who served as a senator representing Anambra Central in the 9th Assembly, stressed that the hardship Nigerians are currently experiencing should not be blamed on President Tinubu.
Ekwunife pointed out that Nigeria’s economic struggles have roots in poor policy decisions made by previous governments.
She said the current crisis is the result of years of corruption, economic mismanagement, and failed reforms that predate Tinubu’s presidency.
According to her, President Tinubu is now tasked with the difficult job of fixing these long-standing issues.
“The economic hardship we are facing today is the result of systemic issues that have plagued our country for decades,” Ekwunife said.
“Blaming President Tinubu for these problems is unfair because he inherited them. He is trying to correct the mistakes made by past administrations.”
Despite the mounting frustration among Nigerians, Ekwunife urged the public to remain patient.
She acknowledged the suffering that many Nigerians are enduring but expressed confidence that the president’s reforms will eventually bear fruit.
“I understand the pain that Nigerians are going through,” she said.
“The president is also aware of the struggles, but I am optimistic that this hardship will soon become history. It is not something that can be solved overnight, but there is hope.”
Ekwunife commended Tinubu for taking bold steps to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.
One of the most significant reforms she highlighted was the removal of the fuel subsidy, a move that had been avoided by previous administrations.
The removal of the subsidy caused petrol prices to skyrocket, but Ekwunife defended the decision, explaining that it freed up critical funds for sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
“The fuel subsidy was draining the country’s resources for years. No one wanted to take the bold step to remove it, but President Tinubu did,” she stated.
“This decision will free up funds for important sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education. In the long run, we will see the benefits.”
Another reform that Ekwunife praised is the unification of Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates.
She explained that unifying the rates was necessary to attract foreign investment, stabilize the naira, and create a healthier economic environment.
“Unifying the exchange rate was a crucial step,” she said.
“Without this reform, foreign investors would remain skeptical about investing in Nigeria. It will also help to stabilize the naira and create a more balanced economy.”
To mitigate the effects of these economic reforms, President Tinubu introduced several social programs, including cash transfers and palliatives for vulnerable Nigerians.
These programs, Ekwunife said, have helped cushion the blow for the country’s poorest citizens, many of whom have been hit hardest by the reforms.
“Tinubu’s social programs, such as cash transfers and palliatives, have been vital in cushioning the effects of these reforms, especially for our most vulnerable citizens,” she noted.
Ekwunife also highlighted President Tinubu’s focus on revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector as one of the keys to combating hunger and creating jobs.
She pointed to the recent government allocations of fertilizers and other inputs to farmers, which are expected to improve food security and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
“Revitalizing agriculture is crucial for us as a nation. It will create jobs and help reduce our dependency on food imports,” she said.
“The government has already started providing farmers with fertilizers and other inputs to boost productivity.”
Ekwunife emphasized that many of Nigeria’s problems—such as corruption, economic instability, and poverty—have deep roots.
She stressed that it is unrealistic to expect a new administration to fix problems that have been entrenched for decades.
“It is unfair to expect President Tinubu to solve multi-generational problems in just a few months,” Ekwunife said.
“These challenges have been with us for decades, and we need to give the president time to address them.”
Ekwunife called for a shift in how Nigerians view the current administration.
Rather than placing all the blame on Tinubu, she urged citizens to adopt a more constructive approach to criticism, focusing on what can be done to improve the situation rather than dwelling on negativity.
“We need to stop blaming Tinubu for problems that have been around for decades,” she said.
“Negativity toward one’s country does not help foster growth or development. Instead, we should support efforts to build a better future for Nigeria.”
As Nigerians wait for the results of Tinubu’s economic reforms, Ekwunife believes that optimism and patience are necessary.
She urged Nigerians to unite in the face of hardship and work together to solve the nation’s problems, rather than tearing each other apart through blame.
“Constructive criticism is important, but we must be fair and balanced in our assessment,” Ekwunife concluded.
“We cannot curse the very land we live on and expect it to prosper. We must come together as one and support the efforts to build a better Nigeria.”
