Abia State Governor Alex Otti has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying Nigerians should appreciate the President for taking difficult decisions aimed at repositioning the country’s economy.
Otti made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who visited Abia State to celebrate the Akwete weaving heritage.
Otti Praises Tinubu’s Leadership
The governor asked the First Lady to convey his appreciation to President Tinubu, describing him as a courageous leader willing to make tough decisions.
“I want you to please thank him. Thank him for his courage. Thank him for the sacrifices. Some people may not understand; it takes a man with courage to do what he did in 2023: remove petroleum subsidy and follow suit with the floating of the naira,” Otti said.
‘Reforms Have Freed More Resources’
According to the governor, the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira have increased funds available to the federal, state and local governments.
“What has that done? That has freed up a lot of funds that would have been used in financing consumption to doing other things in the federal government, in the states, and in the local governments,” he said.
Otti added that many states are now able to pay salaries, execute infrastructure projects and invest in programmes that promote production instead of consumption.
‘Hardship Is the Result of Past Policies’
While acknowledging the economic difficulties many Nigerians currently face, Otti argued that the situation is the consequence of years of poor policy decisions rather than Tinubu’s reforms.
“Every courageous decision, every courageous action has its own consequences, so if you remove subsidy and if you float the naira, it will take its toll, and over time the economy will begin to correct,” he said.
“So what you see that people interpret as hardship today are a fallout of previous bad behaviour.”
His comments come amid continued public debate over the impact of the Federal Government’s economic policies on the cost of living and national economic recovery.
Thank President Tinubu for his courage and sacrifices in removing fuel subsidy and floating the naira — Gov. Alex Otti tells Nigerians pic.twitter.com/uQQUjrYd6P
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) July 22, 2026
