Vice-President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the country would have faced a more severe crisis if successive administrations had continued to delay critical decisions.
Shettima made the assertion on Monday while addressing leaders and members of the City Boy Movement at the State House Conference Hall in Abuja.
He said the Tinubu administration had chosen to confront Nigeria’s structural economic problems rather than defer difficult decisions, adding that the government recognised the hardships Nigerians had experienced in the process.
“What distinguishes this administration from its predecessors is our refusal to pay lip service to the structural reforms Nigeria needs.
“We owe that resolve to the visionary, audacious, tenacious, sagacious architect of our renewal, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.
“His courage has drawn Nigeria back from the edge of an economic calamity that continued delay would have made inevitable,” he said.
The vice-president acknowledged that the reforms had placed considerable pressure on households but insisted that the government must ensure the sacrifices produced tangible improvements in people’s lives.
“We recognise the pressures Nigerians have endured, and our obligation is to ensure that their sacrifices yield better livelihoods.
“We must earn that patience by listening attentively, correcting what fails and measuring progress against the daily experience of households,” he added.
Shettima also praised Tinubu’s approach to political leadership, arguing that his willingness to accommodate different interests had helped strengthen cooperation within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said effective governance required not only sound policies but also the ability to manage relationships and build consensus among people with differing opinions.
“Beyond the science of developing solutions, governance is also the art of managing people.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has become a template for unifying diverse groups, because Mr President understands the calculus of inclusion.
“He listens to those who disagree with him, recognises talent beyond familiar circles, and gives competing interests a stake in shared success,” he said.
The vice-president commended the City Boy Movement for helping communicate government policies to Nigerians, challenge misinformation and promote discussions centred on public policies.
He said the group’s activities had helped bridge the gap between the government and citizens by encouraging people to understand and engage with the administration’s decisions.
“Thanks to you, we lead in issue-based politics, policies find interpreters in communities far beyond the reach of official statements, falsehood encounters resistance, difficult decisions receive a patient hearing, and the distance between government and the governed continues to narrow,” he said.
Shettima further portrayed Tinubu as a leader whose development agenda extended beyond his time in office, pointing to his backing for the development of reclaimed land along the Atlantic coastline as an example of long-term planning.
According to him, the President’s vision includes preparing for future generations and creating opportunities for industries and investments that may take years to materialise.
“He thinks beyond the calendar of an administration. He treats the future as a responsibility owed to those who cannot yet vote, plans for citizens yet unborn, industries yet to be established, and for possibilities that timid minds dismiss before examining them,” he added.
Shettima also emphasised the importance of youth participation in politics and governance, saying the involvement of young Nigerians offered hope for the country’s democratic future.
“Your participation in politics and governance gives us confidence that the next generation will inherit the responsibilities of citizenship with conviction.
“We owe your faith an honest account of our stewardship, and a country in which your talents can flourish,” he said.
He urged members of the movement to remain committed to national unity and responsible political participation, while thanking them for supporting the administration.
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