A former gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State, Salihu Isa Nataro, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that the opposition is exaggerating the country’s economic challenges for political gain.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nataro asserted that while Nigerians have faced undeniable hardship, the policies of the Tinubu administration are beginning to yield tangible results.
He accused opposition figures of deliberately downplaying recent improvements to discredit the government.
“Even when there has been an appreciable downward slide in the prices of foodstuffs and essential commodities, the leaders of other political parties continue to paint a negative picture,” he said.
Nataro insisted that ordinary citizens are beginning to experience relief, crediting this to what he described as sound and visionary policies by President Tinubu.
He particularly praised the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure development, saying improved road networks have enhanced agricultural trade.
He hailed the President’s commitment to mechanized farming and youth empowerment through technology, calling them “long-term investments that must not be politicized.”
“By paving the way for mechanized farming, which would be monitored directly from the Presidency, the President is also actively supporting youth through the introduction of advanced technology,” Nataro said.
He also lamented Nigeria’s failure to ratify a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) initiated by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, which aimed to train Nigerian youth in space technology and introduce nuclear energy for electricity generation.
Nataro commended President Tinubu’s tax reforms led by his Advisor on Tax Matters, Taiwo Adewole, describing him as “the best hand on the reform team” and a symbol of the administration’s alignment with global economic best practices.
He further praised the contributions of Finance Minister Wale Edun and Central Bank Governor Yemi Cardoso, stating their efforts have helped stabilize the naira and ease economic difficulties.
“It is obvious that the previous administration sat on foreign loans and allowed monumental corruption and hunger in the country,” Nataro said, blaming Nigeria’s current economic challenges on mismanagement by past governments.
On national security, Nataro hailed the appointment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser and urged President Tinubu to initiate a prison swap for Farouk AbdulMutallab, the Nigerian serving a sentence abroad, to allow him to serve out his term in Nigeria.
Referencing Tinubu’s recent remarks in Katsina, Nataro echoed the President’s position that a thriving economy, not military firepower, is the key to ending insecurity.
Nataro concluded by calling on Nigerians to judge the administration’s performance with objectivity, insisting that the nation is already on a path to economic recovery.
