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
Politics
2027 Presidency: Atiku Reportedly Opens Talks With New Party as ADC Faces Deregistration Battle
Fresh reports suggest that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is holding discussions with leaders of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) amid growing uncertainty surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The development comes in the wake of reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered several political parties, including the ADC, a situation that has triggered fresh calculations among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Atiku is exploring the possibility of returning to the PRP, a party that played a significant role in Nigeria’s political history. While neither Atiku nor the PRP leadership has officially confirmed the move, the talks have sparked widespread speculation within political circles.
The reported negotiations have generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, with many questioning whether another change of political platform would offer a genuine alternative to the country’s existing political order.
Political analysts say the ongoing developments highlight the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape as major actors reposition themselves ahead of the next presidential election. The possible alliance between Atiku and the PRP could reshape opposition politics and influence coalition-building efforts in the coming months.
As uncertainty continues to surround the future of the ADC and other affected parties, attention is now focused on Atiku’s next political move and what it could mean for the battle for power in 2027.
The latest development adds another layer of intrigue to an election cycle already marked by defections, strategic alliances, and intense political maneuvering, reinforcing expectations that the road to 2027 will be filled with major surprises.
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
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