Despite challenges: Tinubu has shown capacity to warrant 2nd term – TYF

A Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Think Yorùbá First, TYF, has said that despite lingering economic and security challenges, the President Bola Tinubu-led government deserves a second term to consolidate its reform policies.

The group insisted that continuity is needed to solidify the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

In a statement on Sunday, TYF said its decision followed a review of the administration’s policies, institutional changes and development programmes since May 2023.

“While Nigerians continue to grapple with the high cost of living and worsening insecurity, the administration has demonstrated sufficient commitment, courage and capacity to warrant another term,” the group said.

TYF listed fiscal and foreign-exchange reforms, the discontinuation of Ways and Means financing, improved revenue mobilisation and tax restructuring as key economic steps.

Citing Presidency data, the group noted that “debt-service-to-revenue ratio dropped from nearly 100% in 2022 to below 40% in 2024.”

In education, it highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, which it said “has provided access to tertiary education for over 1.5 million students with more than ₦282 billion disbursed as of May 2026.”

On health and infrastructure, TYF pointed to “the revitalisation of over 1,000 Primary Healthcare Centres” and major road projects including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor.

The group also listed energy reforms, the Presidential CNG Initiative, agriculture and food security measures, youth skills programmes like 3MTT, the new ₦70,000 minimum wage, MSME financing through CREDICORP and the Renewed Hope Housing Programme as evidence of progress.

On governance, TYF commended progress in solid minerals, local government financial autonomy, regional development commissions, tax reform implemented in 2026, and “Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list.”

On security, the group acknowledged increased investment in intelligence-led operations. Citing Defence Ministry figures, it noted “thousands of arrests, rescues, and the neutralisation or surrender of terrorists and bandits,” while admitting that insecurity “remains a national emergency.”

TYF gave emphasis to the push for State Police, noting a constitutional amendment proposal was sent to the National Assembly in July 2026.

“For us as Yorùbá people, community policing, local intelligence and the ability of communities to participate meaningfully in protecting their own people are essential to sustainable security,” it stated.

The group insisted that many reforms need more than four years to yield results.

“The second term should therefore be used to complete what has been started, correct what has not worked, deepen the reforms that are producing results and deliver greater prosperity to ordinary Nigerians.

“Our endorsement is neither blind nor unconditional. We believe that President Tinubu deserves a second term,” the group said.