Yilwatda Backs Tinubu Second Term to Cement Reforms

Tinubu second term is the rallying call of APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as he urges the nation to give President Bola Tinubu a fresh mandate to consolidate the economic reforms and infrastructure drives launched since 2023. Speaking at the party’s national conference in Abuja on 5 November 2026, Yilwatda framed the president’s first‑term agenda as a turning point for Nigeria’s fiscal health, power supply and transport networks. He argued that continuity is essential if the gains made so far are to be fully realised and to avoid the setbacks that often follow abrupt policy shifts.

Why Tinubu second term matters according to Yilwatda

Yilwatda’s endorsement rests on three pillars: fiscal consolidation, infrastructure rollout and regional integration. First, the Tinubu administration has pursued a disciplined budgetary approach, cutting wasteful expenditure and renegotiating oil‑service contracts to stabilise the naira. Second, the president’s flagship projects – the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway upgrade, the North‑South Railway revival and the Niger Delta gas‑to‑power scheme – are at various stages of completion and require sustained political will. Third, Nigeria’s role in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is being bolstered by trade‑facilitation reforms that need a steady hand at the helm.

Fiscal reforms: a foundation for growth

Since taking office, Tinubu’s team has introduced the Fiscal Responsibility Framework (FRF), a set of rules that limit budget deficits to 3 % of GDP and tie public spending to revenue performance. According to the Ministry of Finance, the FRF helped shrink the primary deficit from 7 % in 2023 to 4.2 % in 2025, creating room for strategic investments. Yilwatda highlighted that the framework also introduced a transparent public‑procurement portal, curbing corruption and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). He warned that a change in leadership could jeopardise the nascent fiscal discipline, potentially reversing progress on debt‑to‑GDP ratios that have fallen from 35 % to 30 % under Tinubu.

Infrastructure: the engine of development

Infrastructure has been the centerpiece of Tinubu’s political promise. The administration’s “Build, Operate, Transfer” (BOT) model has unlocked private‑sector capital for projects that were stalled for decades. The Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway, once notorious for potholes, now boasts a 70 % reduction in travel time after the completion of its first phase in early 2026. Similarly, the North‑South Railway, a 2,400‑km corridor linking Kano to Port Harcourt, has seen 40 % of its track laid, with an expected operational date in 2028. Yilwatda stressed that these projects generate jobs, stimulate local industries and improve market access for farmers across the country.

Energy security and the Niger Delta gas‑to‑power initiative

Energy remains a critical bottleneck for Nigeria’s industrialisation. Tinubu’s gas‑to‑power programme, launched in 2024, aims to convert stranded gas reserves in the Niger Delta into reliable electricity for the national grid. By the end of 2025, the programme had added 2,500 MW of capacity, cutting load‑shedding from an average of 12 hours per day to under five hours. Yilwatda argued that a second term would allow the administration to finish the planned 5,000 MW target, ensuring a stable power supply that is essential for manufacturing and digital services.

Regional integration and AfCFTA

Nigeria’s leadership in the African Continental Free Trade Area is pivotal for the continent’s economic future. Tinubu’s government has streamlined customs procedures, introduced a single‑window system for cross‑border trade and negotiated bilateral agreements with Ghana, Kenya and South Africa to reduce non‑tariff barriers. Yilwatda pointed out that these moves have already boosted intra‑African trade by 12 % since 2024. A second term would give the president the continuity needed to deepen these ties, positioning Nigeria as the gateway to a market of over 1.3 billion people.

Political calculus: the stakes for the 2027 election

While Yilwatda’s comments are rooted in policy, they also reflect the APC’s strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The party faces a fragmented opposition, with the Labour Party’s progressive platform gaining traction among urban youths, and the PDP regrouping around a coalition of regional leaders. By foregrounding Tinubu’s reform record, the APC hopes to appeal to both the business community and the electorate that values stability. Yilwatda cautioned that a premature handover could open a window for policy reversal, especially in areas like the FRF and the BOT contracts.

Critics and counter‑arguments

Opposition voices have challenged the narrative that Tinubu’s first term has been uniformly successful. Critics argue that the fiscal consolidation has come at the cost of social spending, with health and education budgets seeing modest cuts. They also point to delayed timelines on the railway project, citing land‑acquisition disputes and funding gaps. Moreover, some civil society groups claim that the BOT model favours multinational corporations over local SMEs. Yilwatda responded that the administration has instituted safeguards, such as local‑content clauses and community‑development agreements, to ensure that benefits are widely shared.

Public sentiment and the road ahead

Recent opinion polls conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics in August 2026 show that 48 % of Nigerians rate Tinubu’s performance as “good” or “very good,” while 34 % remain undecided and 18 % express dissatisfaction. Youth respondents, who constitute over 60 % of the electorate, are particularly attentive to job creation and digital infrastructure. Yilwatda emphasised that the administration’s push for broadband expansion – aiming for 80 % internet penetration by 2028 – is a direct response to these concerns.

Conclusion: continuity as a catalyst for consolidation

Professor Nentawe Yilwatda’s endorsement of a Tinubu second term is more than party rhetoric; it underscores a belief that the reforms underway need time to mature. Fiscal discipline, infrastructure delivery, energy security and regional trade integration are interlinked pillars that, if consolidated, could propel Nigeria into a new era of prosperity. As the nation looks toward the 2027 elections, the debate will centre on whether continuity or change offers the best path for sustaining momentum.

FAQ

• What are the main reforms Tinubu has introduced? The administration rolled out the Fiscal Responsibility Framework, a BOT model for infrastructure, the Niger Delta gas‑to‑power programme and customs reforms to boost AfCFTA participation.
• How much of the North‑South Railway is completed? As of late 2026, roughly 40 % of the track has been laid, with full operation projected for 2028.
• Will a second term guarantee the continuation of these projects? While no guarantee exists, Yilwatda argues that political continuity greatly increases the likelihood of completing the initiatives without policy disruptions.

Read the full statement from Professor Yilwatda on Punch Nigeria.

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