Tinubu still the best option to lead Nigeria today, Wike insists
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday admitted that Nigeria is not yet where it aspires to be, but appealed to Nigerians to keep hope alive.
The President made this appeal yesterday in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Nigerians, which he personally signed.
Tinubu’s appeal came just as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, also yesterday said the country needs leaders like President Bola Tinubu to achieve the “Nigeria of our dreams”.
In his message, Tinubu expressed appreciation for the faith, patience, and perseverance of Nigerians while the government implements bold reforms.
“Though the journey has not been easy, and some doubted our direction, the resilience of public and private sector leaders, along with the steadfast support of most Nigerians, is yielding results. I assure you that the toughest days are behind us. We are entering a new era of renewed hope and prosperity that we promised two years ago.
Tinubu said, “Though the journey has not been easy, and some doubted our direction, the resilience of public and private sector leaders, along with the steadfast support of most Nigerians, is yielding results. I assure you that the toughest days are behind us. We are entering a new era of renewed hope and prosperity that we promised two years ago.
“We may not yet be where we aspire to be, but I urge all Nigerians not to lose hope. Let us hold on to our faith and persevere. Our reforms are gaining traction, with key economic indicators now moving in a positive direction. Soon, all will feel the benefits,” the statement read in part.
According to Tinubu, the ultimate objective of these reforms is not just to improve statistics but to transform lives and set Nigeria firmly on the path to sustainable development.
“There are no quick fixes, but we are committed to repairing the foundations of our economy once and for all. Our administration will continue acting in the nation’s best interest, ensuring that the gains we are recording translate into improving people’s lives.”
“We crafted our Renewed Hope Agenda to bring prosperity to every Nigerian, and we remain steadfast in our pursuit of it. As we celebrate today, remember that Eid-el-Kabir enjoins love, compassion, and generosity for all, regardless of faith or background. Let us care for one another’s well-being during this season and always.”
Tinubu expressed the need to join hands in bringing succour to the people recently affected by flooding in Mokwa, Niger State.
“In this instance, I recall recent sad developments in our country, particularly the Wednesday, May 28 heavy flooding, which submerged the market town of Mokwa, Niger State, causing deaths and destruction of properties and creating an untold humanitarian crisis.
“Let us pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and fortitude for their relations. Let us join hands with the government to bring succour to the people of Mokwa.”
The President called for prayers for front-line officers who risk their lives for our safety and security during the Eid celebrations.
He also appealed for prayers for leaders at all levels and asked for those in need to be remembered.
“Let us pray for our leaders at all levels and our country. Let us pray for peace in our tumultuous world of troubles and uncertainties. Let us dedicate this sacred celebration to seeking God’s guidance and blessings for our country.
“May those who have more remember those in need, sharing kindness and support as true brothers and sisters. Let the virtues of perseverance, sacrifice, loyalty, faith, and shared humanity bind us closer.
“May the joy and blessings of Eid-ul-Adha multiply in our lives and the life of our great nation. May Almighty Allah accept our worship and devotion as acts of Ibadah, and may His blessings be with us always.”
But Wike, at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture, titled, “The Nigeria of our Dreams,” pointed out that the greatest challenge confronting Nigeria and militating against its development is the plague of bad leadership, but under Tinubu, the plague has been mitigated.
He agreed with Chinua Achebe, whose seminal book, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’, graphically captured the challenge, when he stated that ‘the trouble with Nigeria is fairly and squarely the absence of proper leadership’.
“This statement, damaging as it may appear, is extremely difficult to controvert. Our leaders have, in the main, emerged through self-serving conspiracies that have little or nothing to do with national interests and development. This has been the case in both military and civilian contexts,” he said.
He, however, said that Tinubu had stood out as the leader the people need to drive Nigeria to progress and prosperity.
He explained that Nigeria needs a leader who came prepared to lead with resilience in the face of our numerous challenges.
He added that the leader must also be a person who believes in the infinite possibilities that the Nigerian nation exemplifies, while taking solid, proactive, logical, and well-informed decisions that would maximally actualise her potential.
This leader, he said, must have the courage and audacity to act, build, innovate, and generally expand the frontiers of development with a hands-on approach that would emphasise excellence over mediocrity.
He added that more importantly, the leader of Nigerians’ dream must create a society of free and responsible citizens whose potentials flowed freely and in which free enterprise thrives.
“Let me make bold at this juncture to state that today, in our country, we have such a leader in the person of Tinubu. He has shown in several ways and at different times, a stout commitment to the enthronement of democracy in our country, to the extent of even putting his own life on the line in the process.
“He has shown great capacity for engendering development as captured in the unprecedented rapid and exponential development of Lagos State under his watch and even beyond,” he added.
He said that Tinubu had demonstrated a rare courage by removing fuel subsidy on his first day, upon being sworn in as President.
According to him, leaders before him all spoke about the evil of fuel subsidy, but none had the courage to dare the blackmail of removing it.
“Tinubu did and is fittingly grappling with the inevitable, unintended and sometimes orchestrated consequences of this removal.
“Today, our states have far more resources to develop, the debts are no longer piling and the price of petrol is gradually but steadily adjusting downwards in tandem with the forces of demand and supply and the strict implementation of regulatory conditionalities.
“Also, the overwhelming cry of over-centralisation of power and resources at the national level and the attendant abuse of the doctrine of federalism is being systematically addressed.
“This is being addressed through the creation of zonal/regional commissions empowered to devolve developmental impetus to the respective zones and regions, so that power can truly return to the people.”
On security, Wike said that the situation was being addressed through proper funding and the training and retraining of security forces.
The minister added that with Tinubu’s approval of the recruitment of forest guards across the country to take charge of the nation’s forests, bandits and terrorists would no longer find incubation points and free territories to operate.
Wike also dismissed insinuations that some power brokers are influencing the governance of President Bola Tinubu.
“He has shown that he has the courage. Under Tinubu, there is nothing like a cabal. This is a president that is in charge,” Wike said.