An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says the inclusion of opposition figures in President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council reflects growing support for the administration across political parties.
He stated this in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja.
Onuigbo said the appointments of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord were appropriate.
According to him, the three politicians have demonstrated support for Tinubu’s administration and therefore deserve to be part of the campaign team for his re-election.
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency in the 8th and 9th Assemblies, described the appointments as a product of democratic alliance and shared commitment to good governance.
He said democracy allowed politicians from different parties to work together when they shared a common interest in improving the lives of citizens.
The APC chieftain said the decision by some opposition members to support the President was evidence that political differences should not prevent cooperation in the national interest.
He maintained that the ultimate goal of democracy was to provide good governance and improve the welfare of the people.
Onuigbo also praised Tinubu’s economic reforms, citing the student loan scheme, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, exchange-rate reforms and the removal of fuel subsidy.
He said the removal of the subsidy had increased resources available to the Federal Government and states for development projects.
According to him, Nigeria’s economy has recorded improvements under Tinubu, including growth in Gross Domestic Product, GDP, and increased domestic refining capacity.
He also cited the increase in foreign reserves, saying they had risen to more than 58.1 billion dollars, compared with 3.9 billion dollars in 2023.
Onuigbo further highlighted the establishment of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, saying it would expand access to credit for working Nigerians.
He said the economic reforms had also received recognition from international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
The APC chieftain expressed confidence that Tinubu would further improve Nigeria’s standing internationally if re-elected, while commending the President and Wike for infrastructure development in Abuja, which he said had helped address the Federal Capital’s infrastructure deficit.
