Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has argued that President Bola Tinubu inherited a severely distressed economy, maintaining that the administration’s policy reforms are beginning to yield benefits, even as many Nigerians continue to grapple with rising hardship.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West stakeholders’ gathering in Lagos on Saturday, Uzodimma drew a vivid analogy, comparing Nigeria’s pre-Tinubu economic state to “a barren woman seeking a child.”
According to him, the president introduced crucial policy interventions—described metaphorically as “fertility drugs”—intended to restore economic productivity. “Yes, they came with pains, but we are seeing results. We are not after excuses. We are interested in results,” he said.
His remarks came shortly after the conclusion of the Progressive Governors’ Forum’s two-day meeting in Lagos, where APC governors assessed national challenges, ongoing reforms and the escalating insecurity across parts of the country.
Uzodimma conveyed the governors’ appreciation to Nigerians for what he termed their resilience amid the strain brought on by the reforms. He restated their commitment to building a more united and prosperous nation.
On the growing incidents of kidnapping and terrorism, the governor expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security setbacks, while raising concerns about the financiers of criminal activities. “Of late, we have seen the level of insecurity and banditry increase. Who are the people funding these criminalities? Progressive governors are united. Nigeria must win,” he said.
Uzodimma also spoke on his role as national coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, saying the group was established to take government policies directly to communities nationwide. The initiative, he explained, would work through zonal, state, local government and ward structures under the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme.
He added that one of the major targets was to stimulate economic activity at the grassroots by creating at least 1,000 active businesses in every ward, leveraging increased federal allocations to states. “FAAC has tripled to states,” he noted.
