Senate President Godswill Akpabio has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic record, saying the administration inherited an economy in serious difficulty but has since introduced reforms that have changed the situation.
According to The Punch, Akpabio spoke while receiving members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, TETFund and NELFUND, led by Senator Mohammed Dandutse, at his residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio says economy has improved
The Senate President claimed that when Tinubu assumed office in 2023, as many as 27 states were struggling to pay workers’ salaries and pensions.
“The current President has done a lot for Nigerians. He met an economy in shambles,” Akpabio said.
He attributed what he described as improvements since then to the President’s economic reengineering and willingness to adopt unconventional approaches to national problems.
Akpabio expressed confidence that the administration’s performance would form a major part of the All Progressives Congress campaign ahead of the 2027 general election.
APC will campaign on Tinubu’s achievements
The former Akwa Ibom governor said the ruling party has enough achievements to present to Nigerians when campaigning begins.
He identified the economy, agriculture, security, education and fiscal policy as areas where he believes the Tinubu administration has recorded progress.
Akpabio also challenged opposition figures seeking to defeat the President to place their records in public office alongside Tinubu’s performance for Nigerians to assess.
He predicted that voters would ultimately return Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
Akpabio defends 10th Senate
The Senate President also defended the performance of the 10th National Assembly, saying lawmakers had passed legislation intended to improve the lives of Nigerians.
He pledged that the Senate would continue working with the executive arm to deliver government programmes.
Akpabio also dismissed some criticism circulating online, describing social media commentary as unreliable and urging lawmakers to remain focused on their responsibilities.
Lawmakers urged to remain loyal
He encouraged senators who may not return to the 11th Senate to continue supporting the APC and Tinubu administration.
Akpabio assured them that their loyalty and contributions to the party would not go unnoticed.
Earlier, Dandutse said members of his committee were in Akwa Ibom for sensitisation and oversight activities involving infrastructure funded through TETFund.
He praised initiatives including TETFund and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, saying they had provided benefits to Nigerian students and families.
With preparations for the 2027 election gathering momentum, Akpabio’s comments signal that the APC intends to make Tinubu’s economic reforms and other government programmes central to its re-election campaign.
