Difficulties will ease as Tinubu’s policies take effect – Aminu-Zaria

The Chairman of the Tinubu/Uba Sani Mobilization Network, Dr. Abdulmumini Mohammed Aminu-Zaria, has urged Nigerians to be patient with the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the current difficulties will ease as reforms begin to yield results.

Aminu-Zaria acknowledged that Nigerians are facing economic hardship, but argued that the policies were necessary and that abandoning them without considering their long-term implications could worsen the country’s economic challenges.

He said the mobilization network is targeting 1.2 million votes in Kaduna State for Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in the 2027 general elections, adding that the target is based on the group’s internal assessment of the performances of the two leaders and its mobilization efforts.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Sunday, October 11, 2026, Aminu-Zaria said both leaders deserve a second term to consolidate their achievements, particularly in infrastructure, security, education and economic reforms.

“Behind every storm comes rain,” he said, arguing that Nigerians must look beyond immediate difficulties and consider the potential long-term benefits of the administration’s policies.

He said governments sometimes have to implement difficult reforms early in their mandate, adding that results may take time to become apparent.

“There is a difficult situation in the country because of some policies. These policies are important; we need to carry them forward. Either you do it and suffer, then enjoy it later, or refuse to do it and suffer the consequences later,” he said.

Aminu-Zaria, who said he worked for about 35 years with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company before retiring as human resources director, defended the removal of petrol subsidies, arguing that the policy had implications for public finances and the resources available to states.

He questioned opposition politicians’ proposals to reinstate the subsidy, saying such promises should be weighed against their potential cost to the country.

“I don’t know the mathematics he wants to use to introduce the subsidy. Yes, he could do it, but at a cost to Nigerians,” he said.

The president of the mobilization network argued that voters should examine the practical implications of political promises rather than supporting them just because they offer immediate relief from economic hardship.

He also defended the principle of rotation of power between Nigeria’s north and south, arguing that Tinubu should be allowed to complete two terms after the eight years served by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“As far as I am concerned, I believe in fairness. Not because I belong to the APC, but because we ran eight years and the North ran eight years. If Tinubu is on board and he is from the South, then it is fair to respect the rotation,” he said.

On the performance of the Kaduna State Government, Aminu-Zaria said Uba Sani has pursued development projects in different sectors and deserves another mandate to complete ongoing initiatives.

He argued that the governor’s relationship with the federal government helped facilitate projects that might have been difficult to execute without presidential support.

“These things would not have been possible without the support of the President. All the development in Kaduna State cannot be discussed without mentioning Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Aminu-Zaria cited road construction, agricultural support, education and security interventions among the areas where he believes the state government has made progress.

He also highlighted the Kaduna-Abuja highway, describing it as a critical transport corridor whose improvement would support commercial activities and facilitate movement between Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory.

He expressed optimism that substantial progress will be made on the project before December 2026.

On security, Aminu-Zaria advocated a combination of military operations, dialogue, education and community development, arguing that force alone did not solve the country’s long-standing security challenges.

Addressing the grievances of communities affected by farmer-herder conflicts and expanding access to education in disadvantaged areas, he said, could complement military efforts.

The President also attributed the APC’s prospects in Kaduna to what he described as improved relations between Uba Sani’s administration and southern Kaduna communities, citing the appointment of a Christian deputy governor and government engagement with several religious groups.

He expressed confidence that the governor’s achievements, coupled with federal support under Tinubu, would strengthen the mobilization network’s campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.

Aminu-Zaria said the group’s 1.2 million vote target was based on its internal assessment, although he did not provide detailed figures or methodology used to arrive at the projection.

“We didn’t say just 1.2 million. We said that based on our analysis,” he said.

He challenged critics to wait for the election, saying the final results will determine whether the group’s goal has been achieved.