A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Bamidele Paul Atoyebi, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a true progressive bent on ensuring good governance in the polity.
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In a chat with the Guardian on Thursday in Abuja, he assured that Tinubu deserves all the plaudits for taking bold steps to address the multifaceted challenges besetting the nation.

Atoyebi, an award-winning philanthropist, administrator, miner, and serial entrepreneur, maintained that the best lesson to learn from President Tinubu is the importance of political will.

He cited the decision to remove the fuel subsidy, the floating of the naira, and local government autonomy as impactful policies put in place under the President Tinubu-led administration.

“He can implement any progressive policy, whether it was already in place or initiated by him. No matter how challenging a policy may be, if it is progressive and beneficial to the citizens, he will act on it,” he said.
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“Some examples include the floating of the naira, the removal of fuel subsidies, and the push for local government autonomy. While some may argue that President Buhari initiated the subsidy removal, it was President Tinubu who dared to announce and enforce it.

“Even President Buhari, a retired army general, couldn’t publicly confront the issue as PBAT did. President Tinubu recognized the fuel subsidy as a scam against the masses and stood firm in his decision. He doesn’t mind being the ‘fall guy’ because his primary goal is to serve the country and push it forward.

“On the floating of the naira, it’s important to note the allegations that FX cabals are among the most powerful and dangerous groups in Nigeria and that many politicians are involved in manipulating the economy for their personal gains.

“Yet, President Tinubu boldly floated the naira on the day of his inauguration, and it remains floated to this day. He doesn’t worry about the backlash; he is focused on doing what’s necessary for the nation.
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“Local government autonomy is another major achievement under President Tinubu. This is a landmark step. He didn’t care whether governors would feel alienated or resentful, as long as it brought happiness to Nigerians. It’s worth remembering that President Buhari attempted this but failed due to opposition from governors. The key difference between former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu is political will.

“President Tinubu built his political team from the ground. I remember following his political journey from a young age and taking him as my political mentor, even though I never met him. As a 12-year-old boy who grew up in Afon, a village in ASA Local Government in Kwara State, it was Lai Mohammed who introduced many of us to Tinubu, even though his political base was still small and he didn’t have widespread support at the time.

“President Tinubu’s leadership is grounded in strong political will, which is critical for driving Nigeria’s progress. His ability to make tough decisions, implement difficult policies, and push forward despite opposition sets him apart. His focus on serving the country, even at the risk of being criticised, shows that he prioritises Nigeria’s future over personal gains.

“This is why I fully support him and believe that under his leadership, the country will move forward and achieve its potential. His determination is what gives me confidence that better days are ahead for Nigeria.”
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