Dogara urges patience as Nigeria gradually recovers economically … Criticises ADC for lack of policy alternatives
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy is moving in the right direction, even though many citizens are yet to feel the impact of ongoing government reforms.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Dogara defended the economic direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stressing that long-standing national challenges cannot be resolved overnight.
Dogara noted that upon assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu inherited a fragile economic and institutional structure that had deteriorated over several years.
He explained that the administration’s bold reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and tax framework adjustments, were necessary foundations for long-term stability and growth, despite causing temporary hardship for households nationwide.
“The reforms we are seeing today are not instant fixes. No leader has the ability to reverse decades of decline overnight.
”Nigerians should exercise patience as these policies begin to yield results, ” he said.
The former speaker highlighted early signs of progress in areas such as corruption reduction, financial leakages, and improvements in security.
He recalled the severity of insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, including Kaduna, southern Borno, and Adamawa, before the current administration took office, noting that travel to these areas during festive periods was previously extremely risky.
According to Dogara, recent developments indicate gradual improvements in security across some regions.
Addressing political opposition, Dogara criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for failing to present credible alternatives to the government’s reforms.
“Criticism alone is not enough to position a party as a serious opposition platform.
“I haven’t heard discussions that centre on the people. All I hear is anger about one or two issues.
”Until they bring workable alternatives to what the President is doing, we cannot take them seriously, ” he said.
The ADC, adopted in July 2025 as the platform for a broad opposition coalition preparing for the 2027 general elections, has accused the APC-led government of failing Nigerians amid rising poverty and economic hardship.
Dogara, however, insisted that such claims must be accompanied by clear policy proposals that can be critically assessed against current reforms.
He emphasised that the Tinubu administration has prioritised practical solutions rather than assigning blame, describing this leadership approach as necessary for national recovery.
While acknowledging that immediate relief may not yet be evident to many citizens, Dogara maintained that the country is on a positive trajectory.
“There is nobody with a magical wand that can make everything disappear overnight.
“But since the President assumed office, we have seen leadership in areas that were previously neglected.
”The country is moving in the right direction and must be given time to stabilise, ” Dogara said.
