An All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged Nigerians to encourage President Bola Tinubu amid the prevailing economic hardship rather than subject him to harsh criticism.
Oyintiloye made the appeal while speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, insisting that the President meant well for Nigerians and was committed to addressing the country's economic challenges.
The former lawmaker acknowledged the hardship facing Nigerians but argued that Tinubu should not be blamed entirely for the country's economic difficulties.
He said, "The President needs the support and understanding of Nigerians as he works to address the situation."
He said the President had introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira, to stabilise the economy and improve its long-term prospects.
According to Oyintiloye, "although the policies had imposed difficulties on Nigerians, they were necessary measures that could deliver positive results if properly implemented.
"Although the policies are tough, they are necessary and have begun to yield positive results.
"What the President needs at this point is our encouragement, not harsh criticism or name-calling," Oyintiloye said.
"What he met when he assumed office was a battered economy, and since then, he has been working round the clock to address the economic crisis," he added.
The APC chieftain further stated, "We should all remember that he was not the architect of the current economic challenges we are facing, and he cannot solve all the problems at once."
Oyintiloye also appealed to opposition politicians using the prevailing economic challenges to campaign against Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election to reconsider their position.
He argued that, based on their records in previous political offices, none of the opposition candidates would outperform the incumbent.
"It would, therefore, be unwise to weaponise the current economic challenges, which the President is trying to address, against his presidential ambition," he said.
However, Oyintiloye urged Tinubu to intensify efforts to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, acknowledging that many citizens continued to experience severe hardship despite the administration's economic initiatives.
He advised the President to review existing social intervention programmes targeting vulnerable groups and strengthen other economic policies to reduce the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
"The government must continue to look for ways to ease the hardship being experienced by the masses," he said.
Oyintiloye expressed optimism that Tinubu would secure a landslide victory in the 2027 presidential election, citing what he described as the administration's achievements across various sectors.
He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the President and supporting his efforts to move the country forward.
Economic hardship: Tinubu needs encouragement, not criticism – Oyintiloye