Senator Remi Okunrinboye, a prominent supporter of President Bola Tinubu, stated in an interview with Vanguard that the President possesses the vision and determination required to improve Nigeria’s economic and security situation despite the prevailing challenges. He defended the administration’s reforms, noting that the current hardships are temporary and necessary for achieving long-term progress.
When asked about critics who argue that the present economic difficulties are too burdensome for ordinary Nigerians, he responded that those who understand the realities of the situation but still choose to stoke tension among citizens are not acting as true compatriots. He said such individuals appear to be attempting to undermine and frustrate the Tinubu-led administration.
He questioned whether the country’s previous economic path was sustainable, asking if avoiding reforms would have ultimately improved or worsened conditions in the long run. According to him, the former system—characterized by fuel subsidies and an artificially controlled exchange rate—was already collapsing, with clear signs of strain evident. He added that the issue was not whether a collapse would occur, but how soon it would happen.
He argued that the previous policies were draining public resources and disproportionately benefiting a small group of individuals, whom he described as exploitative. He maintained that sustaining such a system would not have prevented hardship but would have only postponed and intensified it.
Okunrinboye also noted that he is not a public office holder and has never benefited from government contracts, adding that he personally experiences the same economic discomfort as other Nigerians. He acknowledged that many citizens are genuinely affected by the hardship and emphasized that leaders should not dismiss or ignore such concerns.
Further talking, he said, “What Bola Tinubu has done however is to tackle this problem head-on like a fearless person that he is and I have always known him to be.
“I’m sure they were not easy for him to proclaim either when he assumed office but as a leader you must see the long term impact of a situation and make the uncomfortable decisions to help sustain your people.
“Do you think it was easy for Pharaoh who served a different god to proclaim Joseph ruler over all the affairs of Egypt? But in order to carry out your job as a leader you must make certain sacrifices for the benefit of the people you have been called to serve as their leader.”……See More
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