₦airaland Forum

Former presidential aide Reno Omokri praised President Bola Tinubu for making remarkable progress in his 22 months in office, pointing out that Nigerians’ lives have improved since he assumed office.

Omokri also commended former President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent declaration of loyalty to the ruling All Progressives Congress, saying it contradicted former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai’s claim that his recent defection to the Social Democratic Party had the former president’s blessing.

The former governor, who defected from the APC last week, claimed that he got the nod of the erstwhile president to make his move. However, Buhari’s media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the former president remained loyal to the ruling party.

“My impression of General Muhammadu Buhari changed for the better after he released his statement restating his loyalty and commitment to the All-Progressives Congress, discountenancing Nadir el-Rufai, who had tried to use clever rhetoric to project the illusion that the former president was tacitly behind his move to the Social Democratic Party,” Omokri said in a statement.

He said the former president’s retention of loyalty to his party acknowledged the significant strides being made by his successor.

Omokri said Tinubu was taking Nigeria out of the woods, listing the president’s landmarks, “The Sokoto-Badagry Highway has reached Kebbi from Sokoto State and is progressing daily. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is now approaching Ondo State. Fuel prices are down and still dropping to an average of ₦850 per litre.

“Four hundred thousand students are accessing student loans. The Minimum Wage is now ₦70,000. Food prices are dropping slightly, while inflation reduced significantly from 34.80% to 24.48% in January 2025. Power generation is at an all-time high of 6,003MW, the highest in our history.”

He added, “Federal allocations to states have doubled and, in some cases, tripled. Deaths from terrorism and insecurity are at their lowest level since 2014, even as our GDP grew by 3.8% in Q4 2024. Nigeria also recorded a 209.6% increase in its trade surplus to ₦18.86 trillion in 2024 from ₦6.09 trillion in 2023.

The former presidential aide stated that more regions had been given regional development commissions to accelerate zone development.

“Nigerians are earning more than they did in 2023.
Students are learning more than they did in 2023.
Nigerians are safer than they were in 2023. Nigeria generates more power than it did in 2023,” Omokri said.

He said it was unthinkable that Nigerians would fail to appreciate these crucial strides and queue behind el-Rufai and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, leading a coalition against Tinubu.

Omokri praised Buhari for placing fidelity to the country above ethnicity. “I did not expect this from him, and now that he has done this, he has given hope to those of us who believe in one Nigeria.”

He said the former president showed integrity by supporting his party and the president, who had done him a good turn. “Throughout the Buhari years, through thick and thin, Jagaban stuck with Buhari, even at the expense of losing some peripheral support among fringe elements in the Southwest, who felt that Buhari was running a very imbalanced administration that majorly favoured his Fulani ethnicity.

“Even when herdsmen killed Mrs Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the apex Lukumi-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasorantin, Asiwaju remained steadfast in his support for Buhari.”

Omokri said Tinubu had not criticised Buhari since he assumed office despite perceived revelations that would have caused another leader to question the preceding government.

“Therefore, it is appropriate that President Buhari cast his lot with President Tinubu rather than with a man who President Obasanjo described as having, ‘Inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir el-Rufai," he said.

Omokri confessed that his initial impression was wrong. “I was wrong about General Buhari. He can be honourable and has demonstrated the courage of his conviction. If he had thrown his weight behind Nasir el-Rufai, it would have given that payer of killer herdsmen the ability to be a thorn in the flesh of the Tinubu administration.”

He said the former president’s reinstatement of support for the APC would deter other party stalwarts whose former Kaduna State governor’s name-dropping of the former president would have misled them into taking a wrong path.

ogugwa1992:
https://dailytrust.com/omokri-commends-tinubus-strides-taunts-el-rufai/

favouritecandy:
But where is the lie here? This are truly better... We hope it gets even better.

cjudy:
Go and father your son Mumurik. Stop running away from your responsibilities.

cjudy:
Go and father your son Mumurik. Stop running away from your responsibilities.

MemphitzDgreat1:
Reno, the hero of Agbadorians.....
The 2 faced bitchass snitch. Na these kind people our South West Brothers love be this.

Tjra:
"Nasir has an inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir el-Rufai."

President Obasanjo

emkz:
What has been established?

1. That Bola Tinubu was sidelined from policy making and he never attacked or criticized Buhari or his party.

2. That with the infamous memo, Nasir El Rufai warned Buhari to be wary of Tinubu's group so they won't seize control of his government.

3. That Nasir El Rufai wanted to convince Buhari that Tinubu's contribution to Buhari's election was over-flogged.

4. That El Rufai tried to drive a wedge between Buhari and Tinubu and may have succeeded as Buhari was not too keen on supporting Tinubu's candidacy until Mamman Daura, Buhari's cousin, told Buhari to honour the agreement they had with Tinubu. Infact, Mamman Daura had declined to support Osinbajo on account of the promise they made to Buhari. Mrs Aisha Buhari was also disposed to Tinubu because they saw the difference he made in 2015. Buhari, usually stubborn and unrelenting, bent and made two broadcasts from Ethiopia in English and Hausa to canvass his people to support Tinubu.

5. That El Rufai's frequent visits to Aso Rock was undermining Osinbajo that Osinbajo had to assert himself and Buhari asked El Rufai to face his state.

6. That El Rufai did not support Tinubu in 2022 until after Tinubu won the primaries.

7. That Tinubu only won one local government in Kaduna State under El Rufai.

8. That despite El Rufai's reservations about Tinubu's politics, he felt Tinubu did him a bad thing by sidelined him.

Has El Rufai made amends over attempting to drive a wedge between Buhari and Tinubu? I think he does not realize that people never forget in this game.

“Therefore, it is appropriate that President Buhari cast his lot with President Tinubu rather than with a man who President Obasanjo described as having, ‘Inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir el-Rufai, Reno Omokri" he said.

OkCornel:
This dog of a sycophant should use any generative AI to assess the progress update on Tinubu’s eight point agenda. See the one from Grok below;

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled his eight-point agenda in August 2023, aiming to address Nigeria’s socioeconomic challenges within three years. The agenda includes:
(1) Food Security,
(2) Ending Poverty,
(3) Economic Growth and Job Creation,
(4) Access to Capital,
(5) Improving Security,
(6) Improving the Playing Field for Businesses,
(7) Rule of Law, and
( Fighting Corruption.

Nearly two years into his administration, as of March 14, 2025, progress can be assessed based on available data and developments, though comprehensive, up-to-date official reports specific to all eight points are limited. Here’s an evaluation based on what’s known:

1. Food Security
Tinubu’s administration has aimed to boost agricultural output to address food insecurity, exacerbated by inflation and insecurity. Farmers have returned to some areas due to improved security, and initiatives like the Dry Season Farming program, launched in late 2023, have sought to increase production. However, food inflation remains high—around 40% as reported in posts on X in 2024—suggesting that supply hasn’t yet met demand effectively. The removal of fuel subsidies has also driven up transportation and production costs, offsetting some gains. Progress exists, but it’s partial and uneven.

2. Ending Poverty
Poverty alleviation hinges on job creation and social interventions. Programs like conditional cash transfers and the promised student loans (yet to fully roll out) aim to support vulnerable populations. However, inflation (around 35% in 2024 per X posts) and a stagnant minimum wage—still at ₦30,000 despite promises of an increase—have deepened economic hardship for many. Subsidy removal savings, estimated at $10 billion, have not visibly translated into widespread poverty relief, with critics on X noting funds appear "stuck" in bureaucracy. Little tangible progress is evident here.

3. Economic Growth and Job Creation
Tinubu targeted 6% GDP growth and 👉50 million jobs👈 . GDP growth has hovered around 3% (per X posts in 2025), far below the goal, though reforms like exchange rate unification and subsidy removal have stabilized reserves and improved trade balances. Local refining capacity has increased with the Dangote Refinery and NNPCL efforts, reducing import reliance. Job creation data is less clear—some infrastructure projects and security operations have generated employment, but unemployment remains high at 5% (X posts), with youth unemployment likely worse. Progress is slow and below targets.

4. Access to Capital
Efforts to enhance access to capital, particularly consumer credit, have seen limited rollout. The student loan scheme, a flagship promise, has faced delays, with no significant disbursements reported by early 2025. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) still struggle with high interest rates and limited credit access, despite rhetoric about stimulating entrepreneurship. The naira’s devaluation (over 70% since 2023) has attracted some foreign investment, but domestic capital access remains constrained. Minimal progress so far.

5. Improving Security
Security has seen notable strides. The administration claims over 8,000 criminals neutralized and 10,000 people rescued, enabling farming resumption in parts of the North. Banditry and insurgency persist, however, with ongoing violence reported in 2025 (X posts and Amnesty critiques from 2023). Military operations have intensified, but a comprehensive resolution remains elusive. Progress is significant but incomplete.

6. Improving the Playing Field for Businesses
Exchange rate unification and subsidy removal aim to level the economic playing field by reducing distortions. Non-oil exports grew 6.3% in 2024 (NBS via X), though oil still dominates at 90% of earnings, indicating slow diversification. Infrastructure development, like railway projects with Chinese support, has progressed, but manufacturers report challenges with power and costs. The agenda’s promise of a fairer business environment is advancing, but structural issues persist.

7. Rule of Law
Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law has been questioned. Appointments like a minister without an NYSC certificate (noted on X in 2023) and perceived judicial interference have drawn criticism. No major judicial reforms or high-profile accountability measures have been highlighted. Progress here appears stagnant or undermined by political actions.

8. Fighting Corruption
Anti-corruption efforts have ramped up via the EFCC, with increased public campaigns and some high-profile probes (e.g., subsidy-related cases). However, critics argue Tinubu’s own past and political alliances limit credibility—X users in 2023 called him "the face of corruption." No systemic overhaul or convictions of major political figures have been widely reported. Efforts are visible but lack transformative impact.

Overall Assessment
Tinubu’s administration has made strides in security, economic stabilization, and refining capacity, aligning with parts of the agenda. However, food security, poverty reduction, job creation, and capital access lag significantly, hampered by inflation, slow policy execution, and unfulfilled promises like student loans and wage increases. GDP growth and unemployment figures (from X posts) suggest the economy isn’t yet on the promised trajectory. Security gains are tempered by persistent violence, and anti-corruption and rule-of-law efforts lack depth. As of March 14, 2025, progress is mixed—some foundation laid, but significant results remain elusive, with many Nigerians still feeling the pinch of reforms without broad benefits. Data gaps and sentiment on X underscore a narrative of frustration alongside pockets of optimism.

Tjra:
Post picture of your son, let's see how well you are taking care of him.