Yoruba Obas In North Back Tinubu, Cite Economic Gains

The Association of Yoruba Obas and Leaders in the Northern States of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing what it described as improvements in security, education and the economy.

The chairman of the association, Alhaji (Dr) Murtala Sani Adeleke, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the association’s quarterly meeting at its headquarters in Abuja.
Adeleke said the association reviewed the state of affairs in the country before resolving to support the

Tinubu administration based on what it considered positive developments in key sectors.
He said the decision was particularly informed by developments in security, the economy and education, which he described as issues of direct concern to Nigerians.

On security, Adeleke said recent military operations had resulted in the neutralisation of bandits and the rescue of kidnapped victims.

He cited operations in Zamfara and rescue efforts in Borno State as examples of what he described as significant achievements by the security agencies under the present administration.

“I must tell you that recently in Zamfara State, over 300 bandits were neutralised by this military. Over almost 350 were neutralised. Then, apart from the already rescued, the one that happened in Borno, over 300 too, about three, four days ago,” he said.

The chairman also commended the Federal Government for what he described as efforts to improve the welfare of security personnel and establish additional military formations across the country.

“We, the Yorubas in the North, are fully in support of the President on this issue of security,” he said.

On education, Adeleke commended the administration’s student financing initiatives, saying they had enabled some students who previously could not afford university education to access higher education.

He also praised the government’s handling of industrial relations in the university system, claiming that it had helped prevent prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

On the economy, Adeleke claimed that the country’s capital market had grown significantly from about N33 trillion in 2023 to between N160 trillion and N170 trillion currently.

He also said improved availability of petrol in northern states had eased the difficulties residents previously faced in accessing the product.

“Before the coming of this government, we didn’t have fuel in petrol stations. We bought fuel at black market and at exorbitant rates,” he said.

Adeleke said the association’s support was aimed at appreciating what it considered positive developments rather than criticising the administration.

“Our intention is not to criticise but to appreciate the present government and let them know that we are for them. We support them 100 per cent,” he said.

Also speaking, the secretary-general of the association, Alhaji Abdulrahim Alao Yusuf, said the group’s position was based on what it considered Tinubu’s capacity to lead the country.

Yusuf said although some of the administration’s policies had caused short-term difficulties, they could produce positive results in the long term.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy and the naira reforms as examples of difficult policies which, according to him, were necessary economic reforms.

“Among all the graduates, there’s no person that has the capacity that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for now,” Yusuf said.