Tinubu Defends Currency Reforms as Makinde Launches Reset Agenda

President Bola Tinubu defended his administration's foreign exchange reforms during an All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Tinubu argued that unifying Nigeria's multiple exchange rates in June 2023 prevented the naira from becoming worthless, claiming that without these measures, citizens would have needed wheelbarrows to carry cash for basic purchases. He noted that while the currency fluctuated, reaching N1,900 per US dollar before recovering to approximately N1,300, it still maintains pocketable value. Tinubu also cited the dire fiscal state of the country in 2023, stating that 27 of 36 state governors were unable to pay salaries, and described the January 16, 2027, election as a critical contest for the country's future.

Simultaneously, Seyi Makinde, the 2027 presidential candidate for the Allied Peoples Movement, criticized the administration's economic policies during an interview with Bauchi Radio Corporation. Makinde claimed that major policy decisions were implemented without adequate planning or a clear framework, which he argued plunged Nigerians into difficult living conditions. He further identified insecurity and the over-centralization of power as primary national challenges.

To address these issues, Makinde introduced the Reset Nigeria Agenda, a policy framework prioritizing the economy. He advocated for fundamental reforms to the federal structure to better harness Nigeria's diversity and ensure that government policies provide tangible improvements for ordinary citizens.