APC tells Obi Nigeria needs policy continuity, not economic reset

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, insisting that Nigeria’s priority should be consolidating ongoing policies rather than embarking on a fresh economic direction.

The ruling party said the reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration were beginning to lay the foundation for long-term economic recovery and should be sustained instead of being abandoned ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, stated this on Monday while reacting to Obi’s recent interview on Channels Television, in which the former Anambra State governor argued that Nigeria was heading in the wrong direction under President Tinubu and called for a change in leadership.

Obi had described the current administration as one characterised by “failure and renewed hopelessness,” maintaining that the country required a different approach to governance and economic management.

Responding in a statement, Arodiogbu said the Tinubu administration had undertaken bold but necessary reforms aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy for sustainable growth.

He cited the removal of petrol subsidy, exchange rate reforms and fiscal restructuring as key measures introduced to address long-standing structural challenges.

According to him, while the policies have imposed short-term hardships, they are beginning to produce positive outcomes that should be consolidated rather than reversed.

“The priority for Nigeria should be the consolidation of ongoing economic gains, not the laying of a new foundation,” Arodiogbu said.

He argued that abandoning the reforms at this stage would undermine the progress already made and create uncertainty for investors and the broader economy.

The APC chieftain also criticised Obi for, according to him, focusing on the country’s problems without offering practical policy alternatives capable of addressing prevailing economic realities.

He maintained that Nigeria required leadership committed to policy consistency, continuity and the expansion of ongoing reforms rather than what he described as political rhetoric.

Arodiogbu urged Nigerians to assess political leaders based on their governance records, verifiable achievements and capacity to sustain economic progress.

He added that the South-East and other parts of the country stood to benefit more from the continued implementation of the current economic policies than from discarding what he described as the foundation already laid by the Tinubu administration.

He further called on political leaders to place national interest above partisan considerations, stressing that investor confidence, infrastructure development, job creation and economic stability depended on the continuity of sound economic policies.

Expressing confidence in the government’s economic direction, Arodiogbu said more Nigerians would begin to feel the impact of the reforms as they matured through increased investments, higher productivity and expanded economic opportunities.

He reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to sustaining the Federal Government’s reform agenda, urging Nigerians to continue supporting the administration as it works towards achieving long-term economic stability and growth ahead of the 2027 elections.