Omokri: Better days ahead with Tinubu’s reforms

Omokri: Better days ahead with Tinubu’s reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu economic reform points to better days ahead, a former presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, has said.

 “We should celebrate our recent 3.46% GDP growth, phenomenal 4.3% unemployment rate, record-breaking N5.8 trillion third-quarter trade surplus, revamping of the Port Harcourt refinery, and steady appreciation of the Naira,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Omokri said that despite the short-term pains of the reforms, there was ample evidence that the economy was on a growth trajectory that would assure a better future for Nigerians.

He said the reforms, which cancelled wasteful subsidies on petrol and forex, had freed up more money for the government at national and subnational levels to address the people’s urgent needs, including infrastructure, health, and education.

According to him, Tinubu’s skillful management of the economy led to debt reduction and a quantum improvement in the nation’s foreign reserves, which now stand at over $40 billion.

He urged those still brooding over the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, which produced President Tinubu, to come to terms with the reality of his presidency and cooperate with him to take the nation out of its economic crises.

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Commenting on the weekend fall of Syria’s President Bashir Assad despite Russia’s staunch support, he said the incident should teach Nigerians, who waved the Russian flag during the August cost of living protest, that foreign interventionists would always prioritise their national interest.

“When push came to shove, the Russian government took the most prudent action for their safety. They focused on their war with Ukraine and prioritised it over propping up the Assad regime,” he said, adding, “Moral of the story: Self-interest will always prevail over the interests of your allies.”

Omokri added: “Nigerians should learn from the recent experience and the happenings in our neighbours and accept that regardless of feelings about the outcome of the #NigerianElections2023, democracy is still the best form of government for a multiethnic and religiously heterogeneous nation like Nigeria. At the same time, free-market policies suit our economy.”

Urging them always to seek the deepening of democracy, he pointed at the ongoing chaos in Burkina Faso, where its military dictator fired yet another government amidst soaring inflation and insecurity.

He also cited neighbouring Niger, where the situation had become so difficult that organised crime gangs were controlling parts of the country.

He noted that while West African countries under the Jackboot were experiencing hardships, those under democratic rule, including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, were stable and enjoying economic prosperity.

Omokri: Better days ahead with Tinubu’s reforms