Coalition Of Renewed Hope Reacts To National Front-Burner Issues: Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, Opposition Should Stop Playing Politics With Pain

PRESS STATEMENT

1. On Kidnapped 20 NYSC Members

We are deeply pained by the abduction of 20 prospective Corps Members in Imo State. Our hearts and prayers are with their parents, families, loved ones and all those affected by this unfortunate incident.

We commend the security and intelligence agencies that have already rescued some of the captives. We understand that they have located the kidnappers’ camp and are working assiduously to rescue the remaining victims from the kidnappers’ den. We urge Nigerians to allow the security agencies to do their work professionally and without unnecessary pressure that could jeopardise ongoing operations.

The call by the APM for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign over this incident is irresponsible, reckless, immoral and politically desperate. Why did Governor Seyi Makinde not resign when there was a dynamite explosion in Ibadan or when bandits kidnapped schoolchildren in Oyo State? Would it be reasonable to demand the resignation of every elected leader whenever an unfortunate security incident occurs within his or her jurisdiction?

Insecurity is a global phenomenon and, in this clime, a national challenge that predates the present administration. However, the Tinubu administration is confronting the challenge head-on through improved intelligence gathering, technology, funding, training, equipment and inter-agency synergy. The government has demonstrated the political will to confront terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country.

We are confident that these young Nigerians will be rescued alive and reunited with their families with dispatch. At this critical moment, what the victims and their families need is solidarity, prayers and responsible action—not political opportunism or attempts to turn their pain into campaign material.

2. On VP Shettima’s Revelation That Tinubu Saved Nigeria From Collapse

Vice President Kashim Shettima has told Nigerians the truth about the difficult economic circumstances inherited by the present administration—facts that many Nigerians may not have fully appreciated.

When President Tinubu took over on May 29, 2023, the country was facing severe fiscal and monetary challenges, depleted resources, mounting obligations and a fragile economic environment.

The administration inherited an economy under tremendous pressure, with serious concerns around foreign exchange liquidity, fuel subsidy payments, debt obligations and investor confidence. Rather than avoiding these difficult realities, President Tinubu took some of the most patriotic and politically difficult decisions required to prevent the economy from drifting further into crisis, including the removal of the fuel subsidy and the reform and unification of the foreign exchange market.

These decisions inevitably came with pain and sacrifices for Nigerians, but the objective was to restore the fundamentals of the economy and create a foundation for sustainable growth. Today, there are encouraging signs of recovery in several sectors, while investor confidence is gradually returning. The solid minerals, oil and gas, manufacturing, capital market and other sectors are attracting renewed attention and investment.

Our foreign and domestic financial obligations are being managed with greater fiscal discipline, while the administration continues to pursue measures aimed at stabilising the economy and improving revenue generation.

We acknowledge that Nigerians are still experiencing significant economic pressures, but the pains of reform must be distinguished from the benefits of a more sustainable economic direction.

The pains are temporary; the gains can become permanent if the reforms are sustained. The Renewed Hope Agenda is working towards steady, sustainable and remarkable progress for the actualisation of our common national aspirations.

3. On Amaechi’s Blaming Tinubu For His Mother’s Death

The Coalition completely aligns with well-meaning Nigerians and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in questioning the political narrative surrounding Rotimi Amaechi’s recent comments.

A man who has served as Speaker, Governor and Minister for several years cannot casually reduce a deeply personal family tragedy to a political weapon against a sitting President.

The suggestion that he could not afford medication for his elderly mother raises serious questions about the manner in which the issue is being presented to the Nigerian public. It is unfortunate when the memory of an elderly parent is dragged into partisan political arguments rather than treated with the dignity and sensitivity it deserves.

Instead of using his mother’s unfortunate passing as an avenue for political blame, Nigerians deserve a more responsible and dignified conversation about the broader issues affecting healthcare, governance and the welfare of elderly citizens. Political disagreements should never become an excuse for exploiting the death of a loved one.

We therefore reject what appears to be crocodile-tears politics, buck-passing and the politicisation of personal tragedy. Nigerians expect politicians who have occupied important public offices to demonstrate responsibility, accountability and maturity in their public engagements.

The country needs constructive opposition and credible alternatives—not emotional narratives designed to score cheap political points.

4. On NLC Saying Tinubu Government Sees Everybody As Enemy

The statement by NLC President Joe Ajaero, a member of the NDC and, in our view, increasingly aligned with opposition elements, that the Tinubu government sees everyone as an enemy is laughable, unfair and completely misleading.

This administration has demonstrated several policies and interventions targeted at workers, students, young people and vulnerable Nigerians.

The government approved a new National Minimum Wage, implemented wage-related interventions, introduced and expanded CNG initiatives aimed at reducing transportation costs, empowered young Nigerians through various programmes and partnerships, approved thousands of electric tricycles and facilitated the disbursement of NELFUND support to students across the country.

These are remarkable strides that have impacted the youth and working population in ways that should not be deliberately ignored for political convenience.

President Tinubu does not see Nigerian workers as enemies; he sees them as partners in building a stronger economy and a new Nigeria anchored on productivity, shared prosperity and renewed hope.

It is therefore curious that some labour leaders could commend aspects of the administration’s policies at one moment and subsequently resort to sweeping condemnations when political considerations arise.

We believe the labour movement should remain independent, but independence must also come with fairness, objectivity and constructive engagement.

We urge the NLC leadership to be more constructive, engage the government through dialogue and negotiations, and place the interests of Nigerian workers above partisan political calculations. Labour must remain a credible voice for workers and not become an instrument for political combat.

5. On Peter Obi’s Promise To Spend Holidays In Zamfara And Borno

We have noted with dismay what we consider to be the politically symbolic promise by NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi to spend his holidays in Zamfara and Borno States, respectively, if elected President in 2027.

While every Nigerian has the right to visit any part of the country, the Coalition believes that insecurity should not be reduced to political photo opportunities or symbolic gestures.

What Nigerians need is not a President who merely uses insecurity-ravaged areas for holiday visits and photo opportunities, but a President with the courage, capacity and political will to take tough decisions, strengthen the economy, adequately fund security and provide the necessary equipment and intelligence capabilities required to defeat criminal elements. That is the type of leadership we believe President Tinubu is providing.

Nigerians remember the various controversies surrounding Peter Obi’s administration in Anambra State and his stewardship as Governor. We believe that rather than making symbolic promises about holidays, political leaders should present Nigerians with comprehensive and practical plans for addressing insecurity, poverty, unemployment, infrastructure deficits and economic challenges.

Nigeria needs reforms, not drama; policies, not noise; and measurable results, not empty promises. Grandstanding cannot change the trajectory of a nation.

What Nigeria requires is purposeful leadership, and the Renewed Hope administration remains committed to steering the country towards stability, growth and development.

Baba Femi Ojudu’s Insolvent Politics

With tumult here and turmoil there witnessed during the tenure of Chief Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, many Nigerians are wondering why Baba Femi Ojudu failed to voice his cherished negative sentiments on some of those issues at the time, only to suddenly find his voice in the present dispensation. His present conduct is, therefore, a tragedy beyond doubt.

Never mind the applause he is receiving from opposition groups and their sponsors. Unfortunately, a section of the opposition appears willing to exploit every national challenge for political advantage, even when the country is confronting serious security and economic challenges.

Some accounts emanating from civil society groups concerning the role Ojudu allegedly played during the formation of the APC at Area 3, Abuja, in 2013, have also raised questions about his current posture and credibility. His recent comments are, in our assessment, nothing more than an attempt to appeal to the gallery and attract the attention of undiscerning members of the public.

Every serious-minded Nigerian can see through what appears to be an attempt to project a brave face while remaining detached from the realities of governance.

Even some of his newfound political allies outside the immediate theatre of government are beginning to see him for what he truly represents: a man whose present interventions appear inconsistent with the record of his own past participation in public affairs.

Ojudu is first and foremost expected to demonstrate the values of an Omoluabi. If he genuinely believes that he has valuable advice for a President whom he claims to know so well, there are more dignified and constructive channels through which such counsel can be offered.

Going to the pages of newspapers, the internet and the public domain to engage in what appears to be a sustained political attack does little to advance the national interest.

He appears overzealous, crafty and double-faced, speaking from both sides of the political divide because he is no longer close to the administration. We wonder why Bayo Onanuga has not responded to him, but we are confident that the appropriate response will come in due course.

Our advice to Baba Femi Ojudu is simple: rather than seeking cheap publicity and engaging in political double-speak, he should deploy his experience and knowledge towards helping to move Nigeria forward.

As an enlightened Yoruba man and an elder in the political space, he should understand that the country needs statesmanship, wisdom and constructive counsel more than political grandstanding.

Nigeria is bigger than the ambitions of any individual politician. The task before all patriots is to contribute meaningfully to national development instead of constantly seeking opportunities to pull down those entrusted with the responsibility of governing the country.

Conclusion

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the right track. The opposition appears to be running out of ideas and is increasingly resorting to blackmail, misinformation and the politicisation of virtually every development in the country, including unfortunate tragedies that should ordinarily attract collective sympathy and responsible action.

Mr President has made a commitment to Nigerians, is working hard and remains determined to succeed where others before him faced enormous difficulties. His administration should therefore be judged fairly on the totality of its policies, reforms, achievements and measurable outcomes—not solely on isolated challenges or politically convenient narratives.

We call on all Nigerians to continue to support the Renewed Hope Agenda with greater optimism, patience and constructive engagement as the country navigates the realities of today and the demands of tomorrow.

We also urge the opposition, labour organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to put national interest above partisan considerations. Criticism is an essential component of democracy, but such criticism must be responsible, factual and solution-driven.

Nigeria belongs to all of us. At this critical juncture, what the nation requires is unity of purpose, responsible citizenship and collective determination to build a stronger, more prosperous and secure country for present and future generations.

Signed:

Comrade James Okoronkwo
National Coordinator
Coalition of Renewed Hope

Comrade Jamilu Maikano
National Secretary
Coalition of Renewed Hope

Abuja | October 6, 2026

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