The Olu of Imasayi, Oba Lukman Kuoye, has backed President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term, saying the country’s economy is gradually moving towards recovery under the current administration.

Kuoye spoke yesterday at his palace in Imasayi, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, to mark the fifth anniversary of his coronation.

The monarch pointed to ongoing federal government infrastructure projects, particularly the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, as evidence of what he described as progress under Tinubu.

He urged Nigerians to travel along routes linking Atan, Agbara, Olorule-Meji and Imeko-Afon on the coastal highway to see the projects for themselves.

“Tinubu is now reconstructing and rehabilitating roads, and he is putting the Nigerian economy on a prosperous path ”
The monarch, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he had long admired Tinubu’s political record and his ability to develop and support other politicians.

He acknowledged that the government’s economic reforms would take time to produce broad-based benefits, arguing that there was no quick solution to the country’s economic challenges.

Kuoye said successive administrations had attempted to manage the economy, but argued that the Tinubu government was seeking to restructure it more fundamentally.

“Nigeria is better than where it was since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu became president,” he said, adding that he expected conditions to improve significantly over the next few years.”

The monarch also said Nigerians had more reasons to celebrate ahead of the country’s 66th independence anniversary, citing what he described as declining political tensions and increased economic activity.

He also attributed improved electricity supply to progress under the current administration.

“We have been here almost two, three hours. The light is okay. We are not using generator. It is electricity,” he said.

Kuoye, however, urged politicians to avoid desperation for political office and to prepare for life outside government.

Recalling his experience as a former vice-chairman of Ado-Odo Local Government in Ogun State, he said he chose not to seek another political position after leaving office.

He later applied for employment and was appointed by the National Identity Management Commission.

He said his experience demonstrated the importance of having an alternative career or source of income.

“Every politician must have a second address. If you have a second address, you will take it lightly. You will not be fighting, you will not be maligning personalities,” he said.

The monarch urged politicians to return to their businesses and professions after completing their appointments or elective terms rather than continually seeking political positions.

He also advised political actors to accept that leadership opportunities would not always come at the time they wanted.

“I want everyone, the political actors, they must know that it is God that ordains. If it is not their turn today, tomorrow it will be their turn .”