Politics
Tinubu’s Policies Saved Nigeria, Soludo Claims
Anambra State Governor and former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) chief, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has thrown his weight behind the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as bold interventions that saved Nigeria from imminent economic collapse.
Speaking on Thursday at The Platform, a special Democracy Day symposium hosted by The Covenant Nation in Lagos, Soludo acknowledged the hardship Nigerians have faced but insisted that the current administration’s decisions were necessary to reset a stalled economy.
“I know I may disappoint some who expect me to criticise the government or present a new economic blueprint,” Soludo said to a packed audience in the church auditorium at Iganmu. “But I must say this without hesitation: the audacious structural reforms by President Tinubu’s administration have rescued the Nigerian economy from a tipping point.”
Since taking office in May 2023, President Tinubu has embarked on a series of economic overhauls, most notably the removal of the decades-long petrol subsidy and the unification of Nigeria’s multiple exchange rates. While these policies have sparked inflationary pressures, affecting everything from food prices to transport costs, Soludo argues that inaction would have been far worse.
“We were at a place where the economy could barely move,” Soludo explained. “Subsidies were unsustainable, and the foreign exchange market was riddled with distortions. These reforms may be painful now, but they have allowed the economy to breathe again.”
Soludo, who served as CBN Governor between 2004 and 2009, is known for his directness when it comes to economic matters. On Thursday, he used the Democracy Day platform to both affirm the necessity of the Tinubu administration’s policies and challenge fellow economists to move beyond surface-level critiques.
“There is still a lot to be done, yes. But we must give credit where it is due,” he said. “The international community, the World Bank, IMF, and even global media outlets like the Financial Times, are all watching and acknowledging that we are finally making tough but overdue decisions.”
Recalling his own time in office, Soludo shared that he once rejected a World Bank loan due to terms he considered unfair, yet he emphasized that Nigeria’s current reform direction aligns with the assessments of these global institutions.
“When the World Bank criticises a government, many rush to quote them. But when they praise reforms, some dismiss them as neoliberal or out of touch. We can’t cherry-pick. We must be intellectually honest,” he stated.
In a moment of candor, Soludo referenced a friend who once told him, “The past is always easy, especially if you’re not the one who lived it.” He used the quote to urge critics to avoid easy nostalgia and instead focus on offering rigorous, fact-based alternatives to current policies.
The Platform event drew a diverse gathering of high-profile Nigerians, including former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega, former Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola, and other government officials and policy influencers. The event served as one of the major highlights of the country’s Democracy Day celebrations, commemorating the historic June 12, 1993, elections.
Soludo’s remarks were particularly poignant on a day meant for national reflection.
“Yes, Nigerians are suffering,” he admitted. “But let us not forget that many of these reforms are about laying a foundation, not for short-term applause but for long-term prosperity.”
He also urged President Tinubu and his team not to waver in the face of growing public discontent.
“These are not easy choices. But leadership is about doing what is right, not what is easy. My advice to the President: stay the course. Engage citizens, listen more, and communicate the vision clearly.”
The governor’s balanced stance, acknowledging present struggles while defending difficult decisions, stood in contrast to the often polarised national discourse around Tinubu’s economic strategy. His message was clear: reform is never painless, but it is sometimes the only path to renewal.
As Nigeria continues to wrestle with rising inflation, a weakened naira, and widespread public discontent, Soludo’s intervention serves as both a vote of confidence and a call for responsible governance and civic engagement.
“We have to go deeper. Social media hot-takes won’t solve our economic problems. Let’s challenge each other, leaders and citizens alike, to think critically and act courageously,” he concluded.
Ripplesnigeria.com
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a letter submitted by the Samuel Anyanwu faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that the correspondence “failed to meet the requirements of the law.”
According to The Nation, the letter, jointly signed by Abdulrahaman Mohammed and Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had sought the postponement of the Ekiti Governorship Primary scheduled for November 8, 2025.
The faction claimed that “logistical reasons” made it impossible to conduct the exercise as planned.
In the letter dated November 6, 2025, titled “Postponement of PDP Ekiti State Congress/Governorship Primary,” the faction told the commission that a new date would be communicated.
Part of the letter read, “We wish to inform you that the PDP Ekiti State Congress and Governorship primary scheduled for November 8, 2025, has been postponed due to logistical reasons constraining this exercise… Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards.”
Despite the request, the PDP went ahead with the primary on November 8, with Dr. Wole Oluyede emerging winner after polling 279 votes to defeat Funso Agent (239 votes) and Funmilayo Ogun (17 votes).
In its response dated November 10, 2025, and addressed to the PDP National Secretary under reference number INEC/DEPM/PDF/286/94, INEC declared the request invalid.
The letter, signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran Anthony, stated that the notice did not comply with the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
The letter reads, “The Commission draws your attention that the notice is not in compliance with the requirement of Part 2(12)3 of the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, 2022, which provides that ‘the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Party shall jointly sign the notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting and submit the same to the Commission.’ Be guided.
The Commission hereby informs you that it has rejected your submission for non-compliance with the requirements of the Electoral Act.”
The commission’s firm position effectively invalidates Abdulrahaman Mohammed’s claim to be acting national chairman of the PDP.
Tension At Wadata Plaza As Rival PDP Factions Storm Secretariat Amid Heavy Security
There is heightened tension at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abuja, as two rival factions claiming leadership of the party moved to hold parallel meetings at the same venue.
Heavily armed security operatives cordoned off major sections around Wadata Plaza on Tuesday, anticipating clashes between loyalists of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and the newly elected National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki.
Members of the Anyanwu-led National Working Committee were the first to arrive at the secretariat on Tuesday morning.
Speaking to journalists shortly after settling into his office, Anyanwu declared that he remains the substantive National Secretary of the party until December, stressing that no leadership announcement or convention outcome could invalidate his tenure.
He brushed aside reports of his expulsion by the Turaki group, insisting that due process had not been followed.
Responding to questions about whether he had invited the security operatives stationed outside the premises, Anyanwu confirmed that he had.
According to him, it is standard practice for the PDP to request the presence of security agencies whenever major party meetings are scheduled.
He added that the security operatives were also positioned to handle any “intruders,” a comment widely interpreted as a warning to the Turaki-led exco, which had also summoned its own emergency meeting at the same national headquarters.
The Turaki-led leadership had, on Monday, written to the police to alert them of what they described as plans by expelled officers to disrupt activities at the party secretariat.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has elected Kabiru Turaki (SAN), the former minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, as its new national chairman at its ongoing national convention.
Turaki’s emergence at the convention, which was being held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, where delegates from 17 states in the country cast their votes to elect national officers.
The new PDP national chairman was a minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
At the ongoing convention, the party had earlier announced the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike. The PDP suspended Wike, along with the former governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, and the former national secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu.
The motion for the expulsion of the party leaders was moved by Olabode George, the former national vice chairman of the PDP. His motion was supported by Samaila Burga, the PDP chairman in Bauchi state.
Others who were expelled included the PDP’s national legal adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN), AbdulRahman Mohammed, George Turner, Dan Orbih, Umar Bature, Austin Nwachukwu, Mao Chuambuwa, and Abraham Ammah.
However, the expulsion of Wike and others has been rejected by the PDP have been rejected by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and Caleb Mutfwang of Adamawa and Plateau states.
Governor Mutfwang, in a statement, distanced himself from the motion seeking the expulsion of the PDP leaders. Mutfwang, through his director of press and public affairs, Gyang Bere, said that the development did not reflect his position.
According to Vanguard, the governor explained that the motion was never discussed at the PDP governor’s forum, nor was it tabled at the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. He stressed that such a move would be counter-productive as the PDP was trying to be stabilized and that the expulsion could further polarize the party rather than uniting it.
Also, Adamawa Governor Fintiri distanced himself from the expulsion of Wike, adding that he strongly believes that the decision was not in the best interest of the PDP and that such a decision would further polarize the party.
Governor Fintiri reiterated that he remains a faithful PDP member and that he would not be part of anything that would further polarize the party. He added that “I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party.”
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