A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and 2023 governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has said Nigerians may need to wait up to three years before the full effects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are felt at the grassroots.
Cole made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, where he addressed concerns about when macroeconomic gains would translate into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
Responding to a question on the timeline for visible improvements, he said, “If you ask me, I suspect that before you begin to see the impact at the very bottom if things are allowed to move naturally, you are going to look at another two to three years before you see it.”
He stressed that while economic indicators may show progress, the immediate concerns of most Nigerians remain basic survival needs.
“The man at the bottom cares about feeding, transportation and getting a job that will at least pay,” he said.
Cole noted that governments globally must deliberately channel significant resources toward improving citizens’ welfare, adding that Nigeria has struggled to implement such measures on a wide scale.
According to him, existing incentives have not been sufficiently broad-based to reach the country’s large population.
Beyond the economy, he expressed optimism about Nigeria’s long-term outlook, citing improvements in investor confidence.
Since assuming office in 2023, President Tinubu has introduced major economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, tax adjustments, local government autonomy measures, and student loan initiatives.
However, these policies have also triggered rising inflation and a higher cost of living, drawing criticism from opposition figures and sections of the public.
On the political situation in Rivers State, Cole described the environment as “deeply confused,” alleging that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has faced constraints in demonstrating strong leadership.
He added that while the governor initially enjoyed public sympathy, many residents are now becoming disillusioned.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Cole said voters in the state appear increasingly open to change, noting that credible and violence-free polls could significantly reshape the political landscape.
