The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman for the North East, Mustapha Salihu, has defended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while making a direct comparison to the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking during a live interview on Arise TV, Salihu addressed questions on governance, political structures, and electoral success. He argued that the foundation for winning elections lies not only in the appeal of individual candidates but also in the strength of the political machinery supporting them.
“First of all, I want us to understand what wins elections is not just personality but also structure,” Salihu said. “And politically, in every historical epoch, we have what you call the war horses and we have the show horses.”
The APC chieftain praised Jonathan’s personal attributes, describing him as a leader of commendable character. “Personality-wise, former President Goodluck Jonathan is a gentleman to the core, a very, very nice person who is also a very patriotic statesman. Yes, this is what we have to agree with,” he noted.
However, Salihu was quick to draw a distinction between leadership style and measurable performance. He claimed that despite Jonathan’s admirable personal qualities, President Tinubu’s administration has achieved more tangible results in a shorter period, even under more difficult circumstances.
“But when it comes to performance, you can see the gap between the six years of Jonathan in office and two years of Tinubu, despite the fact that we inherited what seems to be insurmountable security and economic problems,” Salihu asserted. “A lot of things are stabilizing, and within these two years, the results are visible both in terms of security and in terms of economy.”
The APC vice chairman highlighted improvements he believes have taken place since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, pointing to what he described as gradual stabilization in key sectors. He suggested that while the administration inherited significant economic and security crises, its policy direction is beginning to yield positive outcomes.
Salihu’s comments come amid an intense national conversation over governance quality and the metrics by which political leaders are judged. Supporters of the current administration often point to policy reforms, infrastructure drives, and security initiatives as evidence of progress, while critics argue that economic hardship, inflation, and unemployment remain pressing concerns.
Political analysts note that the comparison between Jonathan and Tinubu is likely to persist as both administrations faced distinct challenges: Jonathan’s years were marked by oil price fluctuations, insurgency in the North East, and widespread calls for reform; Tinubu’s government has grappled with post-subsidy inflation, currency depreciation, and ongoing security threats.
By framing the discussion in terms of performance metrics rather than personal charm, Salihu appears to be urging Nigerians to focus on tangible governance outcomes when assessing leadership.
His remarks also reinforce the APC’s broader political narrative that structural reforms and resilience in the face of adversity will define Tinubu’s presidency.
