Wait 2 More Years To Feel Relief From Tinubu’s Policies

Wait 2 More Years To Feel Relief From Tinubu’s Policies – Tony Cole
Calls for targeted policies to support citizens directly
Expresses optimism despite hardship, criticises Rivers leadership

The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has said Nigerians may have to wait two to three years before fully feeling the impact of economic reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Cole stated this on Tuesday during an appearance on Political Paradigm on Channels Television, where he addressed concerns over the delay in translating macroeconomic gains into tangible benefits for citizens.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that responding to questions on when Nigerians at the grassroots would begin to feel relief, Cole said the process could take longer if allowed to evolve naturally.

“If you ask me, I suspect that before you begin to see the impact at the very bottom, if you allow things to just move naturally, you are going to look for another two to three years before you see it,” he said.

He stressed that while macroeconomic indicators may show improvement, the real measure of success lies in how policies affect everyday living conditions.

“The man at the bottom… cares about feeding, transportation and getting a job that will at least pay,” he added.

Cole called for deliberate and targeted interventions to ensure that economic gains reach the wider population, noting that Nigeria has struggled to implement broad based welfare support for its over 200 million citizens.

Despite ongoing economic hardship, he expressed optimism about the country’s long term outlook, citing improving investor confidence.

Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu’s administration has introduced reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, tax adjustments, local government autonomy initiatives and student loan programmes. However, these measures have also contributed to rising inflation and increased cost of living.

On Rivers politics, Cole described the situation as uncertain and criticised Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying he has faced challenges in demonstrating strong leadership.

“The situation is deeply confused,” he said, adding that public sentiment in the state is shifting.

Wait 2 More Years To Feel Relief From Tinubu’s Policies – Tony Cole

Looking ahead to 2027, Cole said voters in Rivers State are becoming more open to political change and expressed confidence that credible and peaceful elections could reshape the state’s political landscape.