Opposition Must Offer Practical Solutions, Not Just Condemn Tinubu – APC Chairman

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has challenged opposition leaders to move beyond criticism of the Federal Government and present practical alternatives capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Yilwatda made the call in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, following remarks delivered on his behalf at the 10th National Assembly Award Dinner in Abuja.

The APC chairman, who was represented at the event by Daniel Rejenieju, urged opposition parties to engage in constructive debate by offering clear policy alternatives rather than merely condemning the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He defended the removal of fuel subsidy, describing the policy as an inevitable step towards preventing what he called an imminent fiscal crisis.

According to Yilwatda, the former subsidy regime had become unsustainable and disproportionately benefited a privileged few while depriving the government of resources needed to finance critical national development.

He urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, arguing that the hardship currently being experienced was temporary and would eventually give way to economic growth, fiscal stability and broader prosperity.

Yilwatda said courageous leadership required the political will to take difficult decisions, including those that might initially prove unpopular, if such measures were considered necessary for the long-term interest of the country.

He argued that successive administrations had acknowledged the need for reforms but lacked the political will to implement them, maintaining that Tinubu had demonstrated the resolve to confront longstanding structural challenges.

“The current economic difficulties represent the short-term consequences of reforms designed to correct years of structural distortions,” he said, according to the statement, adding that the long-term benefits would outweigh the sacrifices being made by Nigerians.

The APC chairman also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as one of the administration’s major social intervention programmes, saying millions of students across tertiary institutions had benefited from the scheme.

He said the initiative had expanded access to higher education while reducing the financial burden on families, noting that beneficiaries cut across ethnic, religious and political lines.

Yilwatda further argued that the reforms had encouraged greater fiscal discipline among citizens by promoting prudent spending, responsible financial planning and a renewed emphasis on productivity.

He also pointed to increased allocations to state and other sub-national governments, saying the additional resources had strengthened their ability to pay salaries, execute infrastructure projects and deliver public services.

While acknowledging the hardship associated with the reforms, the APC chairman appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and united, stressing that lasting economic transformation required resilience, sacrifice and collective commitment.

The remarks come amid continued debate over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and other reforms that have triggered significant increases in the cost of living.

Yilwatda maintained that the government’s position was that the reforms were necessary to address structural weaknesses in the economy and create the foundation for sustainable growth.

The event also featured the presentation of special awards to selected Nigerians and was convened by Uko Miracle, who commended the Tinubu administration and APC leadership for what he described as their achievements since assuming office.

Miracle said his organisation had documented the activities of ministries, departments and agencies across the country, culminating in the publication of a magazine highlighting the administration’s performance.