President Bola Tinubu has stated that there will come a time when Nigerians will appreciate his administration for making difficult policy decisions.
Tinubu made this remark on Saturday during the south-west assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.
The event was attended by leaders of the APC from the south-west geopolitical zone, including governors, deputy-governors, federal and state lawmakers, and former elected officials.
During the event, Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of staff, who represented Tinubu, acknowledged that the reforms implemented by the current administration have drawn significant criticism.
He reassured APC members that these tough decisions are necessary for the country’s future, and expressed his appreciation for the support shown to his government.
The president emphasized that his focus is not on the 2027 election but on improving the quality of life for Nigerians and leaving behind a prosperous nation for future generations.
“We acknowledge that our decisions have been tough, but they needed to be taken. The gains are at the end of the tunnel,” the president said.
“That time will come when we will all be happy and thank our government for taking those decisions. Right now, I am not thinking of the next election but about the next generation.
“This is why we are implementing reforms that are long overdue. This is the hallmark of a true leader.”
In his keynote address, Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, spoke about the significance of the APC merger in 2013, which he noted was the first successful political coalition in the country since the first republic.
Fayemi highlighted that since its formation, the APC has remained unified and consistently won elections.
He stressed the need for the party to avoid complacency and to focus on wealth creation programs for the people.
“Our party, particularly in the south-west should commit to the facilitation of wealth and employment creation for our people,” Fayemi said.
“We must expand social security and skills acquisition policies to enhance human development, embark on wholesale revamp of our education system to ensure it is fit for purpose, and the intensive fostering of measures aimed at expanding inclusivity for those who are objectively marginalised in the polity.
“While we can be proud of the road we have travelled since 2015, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels as a party or be complacent about anything.
“It is imperative that we openly and honestly acknowledge current challenges and develop a coherent and comprehensive plan that can enable us to confront them.
“This we must do by learning lessons of experience.
“We should also be ready to mobilise for the urgent and necessary task of rebuilding the hope of our compatriots both in project Nigeria and in our ability as a party committed to leading the charge against underdevelopment, disunity, and insecurity.”
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu added that now is the time for the party to unify and work together for the betterment of the region.
“Now is the time for us to live in unity and work together in pursuit of goals that will uplift our people,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“We must restore family values, confront youth restlessness and tackle the growing ‘get rich quick’ mindset.
“Our country is facing difficult times like many other countries but the good news is that the president is addressing these challenges with focus and determination.
“It is up to the citizens not to succumb to laziness, but to cooperate with the Government to achieve the swift recovery we all desire.”
