APC Chairman Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Amid Uyo Rally

President Tinubu’s Uyo Visit

On 6 November 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu travelled to Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, where he attended an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at the Senator Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. The event was hosted by Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno and was part of a broader campaign that combines project inaugurations with political outreach ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During the rally, the president was seen dancing to the song “On Your Mandate,” a moment that was captured on video and shared widely on social media. The dance was accompanied by cheers from supporters, illustrating the president’s engagement with party members on the ground.

APC Chairman’s Statement

Following the rally, APC National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda released a statement, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki. Yilwatda said it would be difficult for Tinubu to abandon the economic reforms that have been introduced under his administration. He argued that reversing these policies would undo progress made on long‑standing structural challenges.

Yilwatda highlighted that the reforms have attracted recognition from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He described the president’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy as a strategic national development goal supported by deliberate policy choices and ongoing economic restructuring.

Key Pillars of the Reform Agenda

The chairman identified several pillars of the administration’s economic agenda: - **Infrastructure and transportation** – including the Lagos‑Calabar Coastal Highway, which is expected to improve connectivity and stimulate commerce for Akwa Ibom and other coastal communities. - **Maritime development** – aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of coastal states and boosting their contribution to national development. - **Education and social investment** – such as a student loan scheme to broaden access to higher education and interventions targeting women and small businesses. - **Financial inclusion and tax reform** – designed to reduce the burden on low‑income earners and small businesses, thereby fostering a more favourable business environment.

Yilwatda also praised the administration’s focus on industrial harmony in educational institutions and the creation of opportunities for wider economic participation.

Why It Matters

The reforms are described as tough on the average Nigerian, yet Yilwatda insists that maintaining them is essential for sustainable growth. The backing of international institutions like the World Bank and IMF lends credibility to the reforms and signals confidence in Nigeria’s economic trajectory. The president’s public display of enthusiasm at the rally, coupled with the chairman’s defence of the reforms, underscores the political importance of the economic agenda as the country approaches the 2027 elections.

What Happens Next

The sources do not specify any forthcoming policy changes or dates. The statement from the APC chairman and the president’s visit to Uyo serve as the latest public reaffirmation of the current economic strategy. No further actions or decisions are mentioned in the available material.