APC defends Tinubu’s reforms, cites projects in the North and rules out the return of fuel subsidies

APC defends Tinubu’s reforms, cites projects in the North and rules out the return of fuel subsidies

…The party says reversing the policy would undermine public finances and development spending

ABUJA (Core Reporters) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms and infrastructure programme, insisting that his administration has not neglected northern Nigeria and warning that a return to fuel subsidy payments would undermine efforts to stabilize public finances.

The ruling party has cited ongoing road, rail and gas infrastructure projects across northern Nigeria, along with measures to address inherited financial obligations, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development.

The national president of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, stated the party’s position while receiving former House of Representatives and State House of Assembly candidates of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the APC in Abuja.

Yilwatda urged Nigerians to evaluate the administration’s policies based on their long-term economic implications rather than political criticism.

He was accompanied by APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, and National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile-Idele, at the reception held at the party’s National Secretariat.

The defectors came from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto states. They were led by Princess Asmau Aliyu, while Prof. Murtala Yusuf represented the ADC contingent and Mohammed Rabiu led the NDC group from Kaduna State.

APC cites Northern infrastructure projects

Defending the administration against accusations of neglecting the North, Yilwatda cited the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, the Kano-Maiduguri road corridor, the Kaduna-Kano railway and the Kano-Maradi rail project as examples of infrastructure investments intended to improve transport, trade and economic opportunities across the region.

He said the projects would strengthen links between agricultural and commercial centres, improve access to markets and facilitate trade with neighboring countries.

Responding to criticism that the administration had prioritized the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway over infrastructure projects in the north, the APC chairman argued that the development should be assessed in the broader context of national economic integration.

According to him, improving road networks, rail links and access to seaports could create economic opportunities for businesses across the country, regardless of the regions where specific projects are located.

He also highlighted reforms of gas and electricity infrastructure, arguing that improved access to energy could support fertilizer production, manufacturing, power generation and other economic activities in Northern states.

Yilwatda said the administration’s development strategy aims to improve productivity and expand economic opportunities across regional and political divides.

APC rejects return to fuel subsidy

The PCA also ruled out a return to the previous fuel subsidy regime, arguing that the policy placed significant pressure on public finances and limited governments’ ability to meet their financial obligations.

The party’s national secretary, Basiru, said the removal of the subsidy created opportunities for governments to raise revenue and channel more resources towards wages, pensions and development projects.

He recalled periods when state governments struggled to pay workers and pensioners, arguing that Nigeria should avoid returning to a fiscal arrangement that he said has contributed to persistent financial difficulties.

While acknowledging the economic pressures associated with rising fuel prices, Basiru argued that reversing the reforms would threaten the progress the administration believed it had made in public finances.

He urged Nigerians to distinguish between the immediate difficulties associated with fuel prices and the wider fiscal implications of restoring the previous subsidy system.

Party defends tax reforms, cites inherited debts

The ruling party also defended Tinubu’s economic management, arguing that the administration had taken measures to meet financial obligations inherited from previous governments.

An APC leader cited liabilities in the energy sector, including payments owed to gas suppliers and electricity generation companies, as well as obligations to foreign airlines and investors whose funds have been hit by the foreign exchange restrictions.

He argued that resolution of these obligations was necessary to restore investor confidence, strengthen essential services and improve Nigeria’s financial credibility.

The party official also called for a shift from a budget structure dominated by recurrent spending to greater investment in capital projects that can support long-term economic growth.

He warned that reversing reforms could restore spending patterns that have left governments with limited resources for infrastructure and other development priorities.

APC questions previous privatization deals

Party officials have also criticized previous privatization exercises, arguing that some strategic public assets were sold at prices that did not reflect their original construction costs or economic value.

They cited the steel industry, the Daily Times and the defunct Nigeria Airways as examples of businesses whose fortunes they say have deteriorated as a result of previous government decisions.

The party defends the student loan program

The APC also defended the federal government’s student loan program, describing financial support for higher education as an investment in Nigeria’s future.

A party official dismissed criticism of the programme’s maintenance allowance, arguing that the support could make a significant difference for students from low-income families.

According to him, the value of education should not only be assessed based on whether graduates find employment immediately after leaving school, but also based on its contribution to the development of responsible citizens and the creation of a skilled workforce.

The party also cited improvements in international transactions using naira-denominated payment cards as an example of developments it believes should be supported.

The APC calls for national unity

APC leaders have urged Nigerians to avoid political narratives that could deepen regional divisions, insisting that national unity and shared prosperity should remain at the center of public discourse.

Yilwatda cited Tinubu’s past political alliances with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former President Muhammadu Buhari as evidence of his contention that the President had supported political deals involving leaders from different regions.

He said the administration’s policies should be evaluated based on their ability to strengthen national cohesion, expand economic opportunities and advance Nigeria’s development.

The party urged its newly received members and supporters to shore up their support for Tinubu, expressing confidence that continued reforms and investments in infrastructure could improve the country’s economic prospects.

The APC reiterated its commitment to what it described as a national development agenda aimed at building a stronger economy and a more united Nigeria.