“Tinubu’s policies are driven by national interest, not election politics” – Gbajabiamila

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and former House Speaker, lauded the President’s decision to end the fuel subsidy, calling it a demonstration of leadership focused on Nigeria’s future rather than immediate political gain. He made these remarks at the 2025 Southern Summit of former lawmakers in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

At the gathering themed “National Unity: Bedrock of Nation Building”, Gbajabiamila affirmed that from the outset, the Tinubu administration pledged to confront tough reforms to secure long-term progress for Nigeria. The summit attracted notable figures including ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani, former House Speakers Yakubu Dogara and Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, as well as other political leaders and officials.

Gbajabiamila praised several key policy initiatives, notably the elimination of the fuel subsidy and recently enacted tax reforms, as courageous steps geared toward economic stability. He mentioned the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which guarantees tertiary education for every Nigerian child, as evidence of this dedication.

The Chief of Staff described the tax reform legislation as a pivotal development in Nigeria’s path to economic fairness.

He further emphasized that these measures were not politically motivated but reflected a leader’s deep concern for the nation’s welfare and the prospects of the next generation. While acknowledging the short-term difficulties imposed by these changes, Gbajabiamila urged citizens to remain patient and trust the process of fixing long-standing issues.

Responding to critics who frame the administration’s record as hardship and broken promises, he said the facts tell a contrasting story and called for former lawmakers to unite in promoting national cohesion.

Yakubu Dogara cautioned Nigerians against distractions from insincere actors seeking power through division, urging lawmakers to renew their commitment to building a united country that exemplifies the strength found in diversity.

Leaders from the Northern Caucus, led by Rufai Chanchagi, expressed support for the South to complete its eight-year tenure in the presidency, invoking fairness and equity.

Governor Dapo Abiodun praised summit participants as true guardians of Nigeria’s democratic progress and called for President Tinubu and the South to complete two terms in office.

The forum concluded with a communique endorsing Tinubu as the sole Southern candidate for the 2027 presidential election and urged national unity and cooperation to strengthen Nigeria’s foundations.