Uzodimma Defends Tinubu’s Reforms, Likens Him To Lee Kuan Yew

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma, has defended the economic reforms being implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, likening the President to Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and insisting that the tough policies introduced by the administration are necessary to reposition Nigeria’s economy.

Uzodimma said President Tinubu assumed office at a time Nigeria was grappling with deep-rooted economic challenges and had no option but to embark on bold reforms to address structural distortions that had hindered the country’s development for years.

Speaking during an interview on TVC News, the governor said transformational leadership demands difficult decisions that may not enjoy immediate public support but are essential for long-term national progress.

According to him, Tinubu inherited an economy burdened by an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime, multiple exchange rate distortions, mounting fiscal pressures and declining government revenues, making comprehensive reforms inevitable.

He said the President understood the enormity of the task before him and moved decisively to implement policies aimed at stabilising the economy and laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

“I have seen another Lee Kuan Yew in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Like Lee Kuan Yew, he is taking bold decisions that may be painful today, but they are necessary to secure a better future for Nigeria,” Uzodimma said.

The governor maintained that while many Nigerians were experiencing the short-term impact of the reforms, history had shown that countries only achieve lasting prosperity when leaders are willing to take difficult but necessary decisions.

Drawing parallels with Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew, he noted that the late Singaporean leader faced criticism during the early years of his reforms but was eventually celebrated for turning the country into one of the world’s most prosperous economies.

Uzodimma argued that the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market were among the bold measures introduced to correct long-standing economic distortions and restore investor confidence.

He expressed confidence that the reforms would, in the long run, strengthen Nigeria’s economy, attract investment, create jobs and improve the living standards of citizens.

The governor urged Nigerians to remain patient and continue supporting the Tinubu administration, expressing optimism that the gains of the ongoing reforms would become increasingly evident with time.

He also assured that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would continue to back the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the administration remained committed to rebuilding the economy through fiscal discipline, infrastructure development and institutional reforms.