Tinubu blames present challenges on predecessors

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday took a swipe at his predecessors, attributing the present challenges his administration is addressing to lack of planning and poor policy implementation.

Addressing the All Progressives Congress chieftains and stakeholders from Enugu State, led by Governor Peter Mbah, who paid him a visit at the State House, President Tinubu noted that short-term solutions were adopted to address critical challenges that demanded long-term planning, particularly in the area of financing critical infrastructure.

He said: “What has been the problem in the past is Nigeria trying to finance long-term projects with short-term funding. We have not embarked upon serious long-term outlook for our country.”

Addressing his guests, Tinubu expressed indignation that architects of poor planning now dominate the media space indulging in scathing indictment of his administration.

He urged the Enugu state governor to borrow a leaf from him as he noted that he has developed thick skin towards hostility towards his administration.

“Democracy will survive despite all the intimidation. Ignore it, as I would advise myself. Stay focused. “When you are succeeding and they’re angry, leave them in their corner. We had leaders who privatised electricity that is not working. They gave us darkness instead, and we are trying to get ourselves through that to build a nation of pride, hope, and joy, and leave our children with a life worthy of pride.”

Tinubu commended Governor Mbah for adding value to the lives of the people in Enugu State, citing improvements in security, infrastructure, education, and healthcare as evidence that reforms were yielding tangible results.

“The results you have outlined are not abstract. They are evidence that reform is working, that difficult decisions are yielding real outcomes, and that Nigeria is moving forward.”

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Tinubu assured Governor Mbah that his administration was willing to complement him in driving developmental projects enumerating
key projects such as the Port Harcourt–Enugu rail line, power sector reforms, and other critical infrastructure would receive sustained attention.

In his remarks, Governor Mbah said the purpose of the visit was to show appreciation for the federal government’s interventions in Enugu State.
Aside from federal projects, he listed the federal government presence to include the concessioning of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the establishment of the South East Development Commission, and ongoing road and rail infrastructure projects.

He restated the support of Enugu people for President Tinubu, declaring that the state would stand with him in the 2027 general election.

“This relationship has earned our trust and support. On that basis, we will stand proudly with you on election day in January 2027.”

On the entourage of Governor Mbah were Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, and his wife; former Senate President Ken Nnamani; former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Governor Sullivan Chime and Jim Nwobodo.

Others were former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr; Senator Osita Ngwu; Bishop Onyia; Igwe S Asadu; Sir Osita Okechukwu; Dr Dan Sherry; Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogala; and Father Ejike Mbaka.