Lalong, First Lady Defend Tinubu’s Quest For Second Term

Deputy Governor Simon Lalong and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have jointly defended President Bola Tinubu's campaign for a second term in office, stressing that time is needed for the government's stabilizing measures to yield full benefits for Nigerians. The couple spoke at the National Summit of the Forum of All Progressives Congress Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly of Nigeria (APC-FOPSHAN) in Abuja, where the theme was "Bold Leadership, Bold Reforms: From Subsidy to Renewed Hope."

Lalong, a former Plateau State governor and Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, argued that Tinubu's decision to remove the petrol subsidy, implemented on May 29, 2023, was a courageous and necessary step in the face of structural economic challenges that previous administrations had failed to resolve. He noted that the decision, which led to immediate hardships for households and businesses, was a testament to the president's commitment to economic reform, even in the face of political convention.

Lalong emphasized that the real significance of the subsidy removal lay in Nigeria's transition from consuming public resources to investing them in productive capacity for the nation's benefit.

The First Lady, who was the Special Guest of Honour, echoed her husband's sentiments, highlighting the government's efforts to consolidate the gains made under the current administration for the benefit of present and future generations. She stressed that economic reform is not merely about short-term gains but about laying the groundwork for long-term prosperity.