According to Daily Post New, Dr George Agbakahi, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised advocates of a shadow government in Nigeria to reconsider their plans. According to Agbakahi, a shadow cabinet, which is characteristic of the Westminster parliamentary system, is unsuitable for Nigeria, a country that adopted a presidential system of government in 1979.
During a current affairs program on Television Continental (TVC) that was monitored in Abuja, Agbakahi, a South East leader of the Tinubu Support Organisation and a member of the 2023 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), urged the proponents of the idea to abandon it. He explained that the formation of a shadow government, particularly in a presidential system, was a misstep. Agbakahi argued that after their failure to create a successful coalition, opposition figures now wanted to resort to the impractical idea of a shadow government, which he described as an ineffective strategy in a presidential democracy.
On the subject of defections, Agbakahi viewed them positively, believing they represented the defectors’ trust and confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his agenda for renewal. He emphasized that Tinubu’s economic policies, such as the removal of subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates, had shown positive results, asserting that these defections were an affirmation of his leadership.
Dr. Agbakahi also discussed the accomplishments of President Tinubu’s administration as it nears its second anniversary. He acknowledged the challenges the country faced, particularly in terms of the economy and national security, but commended the president for taking bold and ambitious decisions, such as abolishing fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates. These, according to Agbakahi, were major policies that had placed Nigeria in a more favorable light globally.
He said, “Since President Tinubu came on board, we have never heard about any state that is owing salaries of workers, even some states have also used that opportunity to pay some of their local and international debts. So a lot is also happening.”
The chieftain further highlighted the president’s initiatives, including the disbursement of N54 billion for student loans, aimed at helping students with tuition and stipends. Agbakahi also praised the government’s efforts in creating employment opportunities by fostering an environment conducive to private sector participation. Programs like the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund, which allocated N110 billion, have empowered many youth by offering soft loans, ranging from N1 million to N20 million.
Agbakahi noted the substantial foreign direct investment of about $50 billion that had been attracted to Nigeria under President Tinubu’s leadership, contributing to economic growth. He pointed to the significant increase in the monthly FAAC allocations to states, as well as a drop in food prices, as clear signs of progress. In particular, over $1 billion was spent on agricultural reforms, including fertilizer distribution and mechanized farming initiatives in regions such as Jigawa and Katsina.
As the 2027 elections approach, Agbakahi believes the elections will be shaped largely by the achievements of President Tinubu. He dismissed concerns about defections, emphasizing that the president’s performance in office would be the determining factor in securing victory in the upcoming election.
Agbakahi acknowledged that insecurity remains a significant challenge for the administration but praised the federal government’s efforts to address the issue. He pointed out that the Nigerian military had successfully neutralized thousands of planned terrorist attacks and rescued many citizens from terrorists. Furthermore, over 125,000 Boko Haram militants had surrendered, illustrating the effectiveness of the government’s actions.
The APC chieftain also dismissed claims that the APC government was not well-received in the South East. He pointed out that several key figures from the region, such as the governors of Ebonyi and Imo states, are APC members. Agbakahi also observed that the APC had made significant strides in the South East, especially with the recent election of an APC Deputy Speaker from Abia State. He expressed confidence that President Tinubu would continue to make significant inroads in the region, which had traditionally been a stronghold of the PDP.
In conclusion, Agbakahi emphasized the dynamism of elections, suggesting that claims about the president’s lack of progress in the South East were misleading. He assured that the APC would make greater strides in the region as the 2027 elections approached.
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