Tinubu: APC gov’t must embark on deep reforms

The ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] government in the country “must transform the nation” by embarking on deep and impactful reforms, creating more jobs, providing social policy initiatives and building a befitting infrastructure for a leading country, former Lagos State governor and APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said in Abuja yesterday. He was one of the speakers at the 15th Daily Trust Dialogue with the theme Nigeria and the Challenges of 2019.

Represented by Mr Wale Edun, a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Tinubu said social services must become a reality close at hand and not a vague dream lying in the distance. He said that the current fuel subsidy regime which caused more problems than it cured must be reformed. He also said the bottlenecks of long fuel queues; erratic supply, resultant economic dislocations for consumers from lack of fuel and the corrupt practices of insider traders all undermined the good intentions upon which the subsidy was based. 

He said, “Currently, the subsidy does not benefit the average person. It sweetly profits the elite who manipulate the program to their own advantage. We need to allow market forces to more directly determine price. We need to open the now closed market to more suppliers. In this way, we may better harmonise supply and demand, where they do the most sustainable economic good.” He however said the President Muhammadu led administration had done a lot in delivering some of its campaign promises, including the feats in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents, the anti-corruption war and the drive towards economic recovery, job creation and improved welfare for workers.

Apparently making reference to the 16-year administration of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu said the “advocates of the old ways had rebelled in full against even the partial blossoms of improvement. He voiced his belief that smart, progressive governance could bring prosperity, tranquillity and justice. He advised that the 2019 election must be a contest of different visions for the nation’s present and future, saying that the proper outcome of electoral victory is for the winner to assume the burden of governance. He said, “The challenge we face leading into 2019 is not to fall backward in governance and development as we move forward in time. Reform and change are difficult because they are always and everywhere resisted by those who benefit from the old order.

“But we must insist on a better life for our people. As such, the electoral politics of 2019 cannot be played as if it is a game that has no end other than itself. Here again, we must insist on politics having a nobler and larger goal than just registering certain people into the fraternity of officeholders. People must not only aspire and hold office; they must seek to govern prudently from that office. This is the challenge of 2019. Shall our elections be a game in and of itself or will it be a platform from which we continue to move toward the progressive, responsive governance Nigeria deserves.”

On the killings that occurred in Benue and Taraba states, Tinubu advised the federal government to do what past governments neglected to do by taking “prudent action”. He welcomed the deployment of more law enforcement and military officers into the troubled areas, saying the security measures will stem the immediate violence and loss of life. He said, “We must forget our age-old prejudices in order to resolve this problem. What we need is serious committed action. As we commend these security measures, we must not lose sight of the fact that the problem bears an economic origin. Thus, agro-economic policy initiatives must help shape the lasting solution.

He also said, “The crux of the matter is that the nomadic way of life is fast becoming obsolete. Large scale nomadic practice does not belong in this day and age. This is reality and it is inescapable. Thus, herders have no right to cling to this way of life by killing others. Government must stop their violence but also offer them a viable new way of life by moving them toward more modern, non-nomadic cattle rearing.  Additionally, government should establish a relief and rehabilitation program for those families and communities that have been so grievously harmed.”    

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said, “In short, to resolve this lethal problem, government must implement a multi-dimensional policy that encompasses security, agro-economic, educational and emergency relief elements. This is the art and mastery of governance that our nation and its complex problems require. In addition to mending this rupture of peace, I believe those who seek to enshrine good governance must boldly act to improve the quality of life of the people.”