We are on the right track, Dogara defends Tinubu’s economic reforms

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said Nigeria is moving in the right direction under President Bola Tinubu, even though many citizens are yet to feel the impact of the administration’s economic policies.

Speaking in a televised interview, the lawyer and former lawmaker defended the president’s performance, arguing that continuity in governance is essential for ongoing reforms to yield results.

Dogara said President Tinubu came into office with clear commitments to fix the economy, improve security, and introduce systemic reforms, stressing that such deep-rooted challenges could not be resolved overnight.

According to him, the security and economic problems confronting the country were inherited over several years, leaving no room for quick fixes.

“I think we are on the right track, even if people are not feeling it,” Dogara said. “There’s nobody with a magical wand that can make everything disappear overnight. But from the time he assumed office until now, we have seen leadership in areas that were previously neglected.”

He recalled how insecurity once made travel to parts of the North, including Kaduna, southern Borno and Adamawa, almost impossible during festive periods, noting that the situation has begun to improve under the current administration.

Dogara also pointed to what he described as the fragile state of the nation’s economy when Tinubu took over, adding that the president has avoided blame-sharing in favour of focusing on solutions.

“In terms of the economic collapse of this nation, I don’t know whether we sincerely appreciate where we were coming from,” he said, adding that Tinubu believes apportioning blame is not the hallmark of effective leadership.

While acknowledging that progress has been recorded, Dogara admitted that the benefits are not yet being felt by all Nigerians.

“If we were to really articulate where Nigeria was at the time he took over and what has been achieved so far, you would give him below 60%,” he said. “Some people are feeling the pinch, but these reforms are absolutely necessary.”

He argued that decades of decay could not be reversed within two years, expressing confidence that sustained reforms would eventually produce tangible results.

Dogara further claimed that efforts to curb corruption and financial leakages were already yielding outcomes.

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has rolled out major economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira and changes to the tax system.

Although the policies are intended to stabilise the economy, they have led to a sharp increase in the cost of living, with petrol prices rising from about ₦187 to nearly ₦900 per litre, alongside soaring food and transportation costs that have worsened inflation and poverty nationwide.