Former Minister of State for Works and leader of the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye, has stressed why Nigerians need to endure the pain and watch President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms transform the country to prevent economic collapse.
According to Adeyeye, if not for the fact that Tinubu had removed fuel subsidy when he assumed power and floated the Naira, every Nigerian citizen would have been riding a bicycle.
“If he had not removed fuel subsidy and floated the naira, we would all be riding bicycles now. Buhari already said there was no money to import fuel. We were doing ‘ways and means,’ printing money to pay salaries. Without these reforms, Nigeria would have been another Venezuela or Zimbabwe,” the former Minister said in an intervew with Vanguard.
Speaking further on the naira, he argued: “Now people are exporting cassava and precious stones, and the dollar has remained stable at around ₦1,500 for about a year. Stability is what matters.”
Adeyeye also highlighted Tinubu’s efforts in agriculture.
“The president is aiding mechanisation with 2,000 tractors and implements. The company supplying them has pledged to establish an assembly plant in Nigeria. This will revolutionise agriculture and lead to massive food production,” he said, insisting that Tinubu is the right leader for Nigeria at the time.
Why North Will Back Tinubu Stronger in 2027
Bellnews reports that Adeyeye also dismissed claims that President Tinubu’s government has sidelined the North through alleged “Yorubanisation” of appointments.
Asked why Nigerians should re-elect Tinubu despite hardship, Adeyeye insisted the president had taken bold reforms that saved Nigeria from collapse.
“President Tinubu has not disappointed us who believe in his vision for Nigeria. We are all witnesses to his prompt removal of the corrupt and crippling fuel subsidy that fleeced the country for decades,” he said.
Adeyeye praised Tinubu’s decision to float the naira, end reckless borrowing through the unpopular “ways and means,” and introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), investing over N250 billion into it.
“The Federal Government has built and is still building thousands of Renewed Hope Homes across the country. There are game-changing road construction works from the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road to the Badagry-Sokoto expressway. At least between 2024 and 2025, Tinubu has signed into law the establishment of 11 new universities,” he added.
‘There’s No Monolithic North’ – Adeyeye Says
On concerns that Tinubu has offended the North and may lose support in 2027, Adeyeye dismissed such fears as a myth.
“There is no monolithic North. Even in the First Republic, Northern parties like NEPU, UMBC, and NDC differed in their voting patterns. In the Second Republic, NPN, NPP, PRP, and GNPP all had their strongholds. In 1999, some states voted APP while others voted PDP. Till today, Benue is APC and Plateau nearby is PDP. Which North are you speaking for?” he asked.
Adeyeye argued that in 2023, Tinubu fought his way to victory despite insinuations of a northern consensus candidate.
“He boldly said, ‘It is my turn,’ and fought for it. Now, I see greater consensus for him in the North. All the governors are united behind him. Those saying otherwise have no electoral value,” he added.
ADC Coalition Died At Birth
Adeyeye dismissed opposition efforts such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, describing it as stillborn.
“Who is of electoral value that is joining them? Nobody. This time, the North will vote for Asiwaju in a bigger way. Tinubu will win more northern states in 2027 than in 2023, just like Obasanjo did in 2003 and Jonathan in 2011,” he declared.
On criticisms that Tinubu has filled his government with Yoruba appointees, Adeyeye was blunt:
“It is not true. A recent statistic showed that 52 percent of appointments are from the North, and they hold key positions. Governors, senators and northern emirs are not complaining. Those complaining are rabble-rousers and political jobbers,” he said, warning against reverse discrimination similar to what he said former President Olusegun Obasanjo subjected the Yoruba to.
“Obasanjo, for fear of being accused of favouring Yoruba, ended up working against them. For eight years, he never constructed a single major road in the South-West. Tinubu is not like that. He is fair to all,” Adeyeye stressed.
On fears that Tinubu had abandoned his restructuring agenda, Adeyeye said the president remained an apostle of federalism.
“Restructuring is a sensitive matter. If explained well, Nigerians will embrace it. In the First Republic, when there was true federalism, all the regions were competing and the country was better for it. Asiwaju believes in it.
“Remember, as Lagos governor, he created local councils and challenged the system. Restructuring is why he allowed direct allocation to local governments. If Nigerians give him a second term, he will put the country in a shape that reduces tension and fosters harmony,” the former Minister said.
On rising fears of electoral violence, especially between Yoruba and Igbo in Lagos, Adeyeye said Nigerian elections have become more peaceful.
“As someone who has participated since 1979, I can tell you tensions have been reducing. In 1983, Ondo witnessed killings and arson. In the First Republic, there was Operation Wetie. But with BVAS now, ballot snatching is at your peril,” he said.
He downplayed fears of Yoruba-Igbo clashes.
“What happened in the 2023 election where Peter Obi won Lagos could not have happened in 1999 without violence. Nothing happened. People just moved on. There will always be controversies in a multi-ethnic society, but not real violence.”
“In Tinubu, we are having the right leader at the right time for the whole country. Those shouting against him are only used to receiving 90 percent; now that their share has been reduced to 60, they cry foul. Asiwaju is fair to all, and that is what Nigerians should expect in his second term,” Adeyeye concluded.