Nigeria Would Have Become Venezuela Without Tinubu – Emerhor

A founding leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, has claimed that Nigeria would have suffered an economic collapse similar to Venezuela’s if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had not introduced economic reforms after assuming office in 2023.

Emerhor made the statement on Thursday at the Delta State APC campaign flag-off in Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, where he praised Tinubu’s economic policies, describing them as crucial to preventing a looming economic disaster.

He said Tinubu inherited an economy weakened by years of mismanagement and unsustainable policies but demonstrated the political will to take difficult decisions to address its challenges.

Comparing Nigeria with Venezuela, an oil-producing South American country that has experienced prolonged economic turmoil, Emerhor argued that the country could have followed a similar path without Tinubu’s intervention.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rescued Nigeria. If our President had not taken those bold decisions, Nigeria would have gone the way of Venezuela. Do you want Nigeria to become another Venezuela?

“Venezuela has more oil than Nigeria, but bad leadership and years of economic mismanagement destroyed its economy. For many years, that was the kind of governance we experienced in Nigeria,” he said.

The APC chieftain called on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that a change of leadership after his first term could disrupt the ongoing economic reforms.

He also criticised opposition figures seeking to contest against Tinubu, alleging that some of them were part of the political establishment responsible for the country’s economic problems.

“All those who are today running to become President were part of the system that contributed to the destruction of Nigeria. It was Bola Ahmed Tinubu who had the courage to take those difficult decisions.

“Today, we are beginning to have a stable economy. The President has laid a strong foundation for economic prosperity. We have a prudent President, and our foreign reserves are growing. Tinubu is doing well,” Emerhor declared.

Using a building analogy, he urged Nigerians to give Tinubu another four years to consolidate his reforms and deliver their expected benefits.

“Do you want to invite those who destroyed the house to come back and rebuild it? We have to give President Tinubu another four years to build the skyscraper on top of the foundation he has laid.

“We need to give him those four years, and you will see what Nigeria will become. We must give him our full support,” he said.

Emerhor also appealed for the re-election of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, praising his administration’s performance under the MORE Agenda, particularly in infrastructure and other critical sectors.

He expressed confidence that another term would enable Oborevwori to further develop the state and position it among the most developed in the country.

Referring to the governor by his nickname, Ukodo, Emerhor said his achievements were numerous and likened their enumeration to the Christian hymn, Count Your Blessings.

“Now, let me talk about our Ukodo. Many people have already counted so many things that he has done. I would have loved us to sing, ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one.’

“Look at what he has done in just three years. Give him another four years, and we will beat Lagos. Don’t you want that?” he asked, drawing cheers from party supporters.

He further described the turnout at the campaign flag-off as evidence of the APC’s growing influence in Delta State, insisting that the party had become the dominant political force ahead of the 2027 elections.

“There is no other party in Delta State, than APC! Anybody pretending that there is another party in this state is deceiving himself. Can you see what is happening here today?” he declared.

However, he cautioned party members against relying solely on the enthusiasm displayed at the rally, urging them to intensify grassroots mobilisation.

Estimating the crowd at more than 20,000, Emerhor challenged each supporter to recruit at least ten additional voters for Tinubu and other APC candidates.

“The people in this stadium are more than 20,000. Every one of you should go back and make sure you get a minimum of ten people to vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“If everybody here brings ten additional voters, imagine the number of votes we will deliver. We have already won the election,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Tinubu’s economic reforms, Oborevwori’s infrastructure projects and unity among APC stakeholders would strengthen the party’s chances in Delta State in 2027.