The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, dismissing criticism from Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi.
The ruling party said Nigeria needs continuity in its economic policies rather than a fresh direction, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, made the remarks while reacting to Obi’s recent appearance on Channels Television, where the former Anambra state governor urged President Tinubu to step aside.
During the interview, Obi described the current administration as one of “failure and renewed hopelessness,” arguing that Nigeria needed a different style of leadership to tackle its economic and governance challenges.
However, reacting in a statement, Monday, Arodiogbu said the Tinubu administration had already laid a solid foundation for long-term economic recovery and urged Nigerians to support the ongoing reforms instead of abandoning them.
According to him, major policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate reforms and fiscal restructuring were necessary steps aimed at repositioning the country’s economy.
While maintaining that the reforms may have been difficult, he said they were beginning to produce positive results and should be strengthened rather than reversed.
“The priority for Nigeria should be the consolidation of ongoing economic gains, not the laying of a new foundation,” he said.
Arodiogbu argued that Obi’s call for a complete policy reset was not in the country’s best interest at a time Nigeria was implementing critical economic reforms.
He also accused the former Anambra governor of consistently pointing out the nation’s challenges without presenting realistic alternatives capable of addressing the country’s economic realities.
According to the APC chieftain, “Nigeria needs leaders who are committed to policy consistency, continuity and expanding gains already recorded in revenue generation and infrastructure development.”
He urged Nigerians to assess political leaders based on their performance in office, verifiable facts and their ability to sustain economic progress rather than political rhetoric.
Arodiogbu further said the Southeast and other parts of the country would benefit more from the continued implementation of the current reforms than abandoning the economic foundation already laid by the Tinubu administration.
He also appealed to political leaders to put national interest above partisan politics, stressing that investor confidence, infrastructure development, job creation and economic stability depend on consistent government policies.
Expressing optimism about the future of the reforms, the APC vice chairman said more Nigerians would begin to experience their benefits through increased investments, improved productivity and expanded economic opportunities.
He reaffirmed the ruling party’s commitment to sustaining the ongoing economic agenda and called on Nigerians to continue supporting the federal government’s reform programme ahead of the 2027 general election.