Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said Nigerians still have confidence in the president and his reform policies despite the country’s current economic hardship.
Gatekeepers News reports that Gbajabiamila spoke on Saturday in Surulere, Lagos, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election where Tinubu emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential poll.
According to the former speaker of the House of Representatives, the large turnout of party supporters at the exercise showed that many Nigerians still believe in Tinubu’s leadership and long-term vision for the country.
He noted that supporters remained at the venue despite the harsh weather because they were convinced the president’s reforms would eventually produce positive results.
“This crowd is out here for one reason and one reason only,” he said.
“To express their love, to express their desire for continuity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the next four years.
“And you can see the crowd, overwhelming, and we are grateful, we are grateful.
“You can see under the hot sun, you can see my 96-year-old mother as well, and the young, the old, men and women, they are all here.
“It turns out there are large numbers because of the good work of this government and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That’s why they are here.
“Why do you think they have this strong belief that he is capable of continuing the good work? Well, a lot of people in Nigeria, a lot of people are very discerning. They understand the policies of this government.
“They understand that the reward of these policies will be reaped in the long term. When you are reforming, you don’t expect the gains in the short term or the very next day, no. It’s a long-term thing.”
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu’s administration has implemented several major economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, policies the government says are aimed at stabilising the economy and attracting investment.
However, the reforms have also triggered rising inflation, increased transportation costs and higher living expenses across the country, leading to criticism from opposition parties and labour unions.
Gbajabiamila defended the reforms, insisting they were necessary for Nigeria’s long-term development and economic recovery.
“And like the president has always said, it’s like the birth pains of a pregnant woman,” Gbajabiamila said.
“For eight or nine months, you’re pregnant, you’re uncomfortable, there’s a lot of discomfort, and you’re in pain sometimes.
“But at the end of the day, when you deliver that child, all those pains are forgotten.
“All those pains are completely out of the window, and you begin to enjoy the benefits of your newborn baby.
“And that’s exactly the best analogy for what’s going on in Nigeria today. It’s a necessary reform the President has put in place.”
The presidential aide further described Tinubu as a courageous leader willing to take difficult decisions for the country’s future.
“It takes boldness, it takes courage, and it takes a man with vision,” he said.
“And I know these people here, you ask why they are out here, because they see through all the noise. And they know that at the end of the day, joy is coming.”
Tinubu won the APC presidential primary on Saturday after securing overwhelming victories across several states in the party’s nationwide direct primary election. He is expected to receive the party’s certificate of return on Sunday in Abuja.
