Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has voiced strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, highlighting the president’s commitment to tackling tough challenges in order to lead Nigeria.
Speaking at the 14th convocation ceremony of Achievers University in Owo on Saturday, Dogara urged Nigerians not to abandon the reforms despite the country’s current difficulties.
Dogara commended Tinubu’s local government and tax reform initiatives, calling the local government tax reform a strategic move.
He argued that Nigeria’s previous leadership model, which he described as weak, had failed to bring substantial progress. According to Dogara, Tinubu’s reforms have empowered the third tier of government, addressing longstanding issues that have stifled growth.
Dogara cautioned against stepping back from the reforms simply because the country is facing tough times. He praised Tinubu for his courage in addressing difficult issues, including liberating local governments from economic stagnation caused by state governments and introducing bold tax reforms to the National Assembly, according to Daily Post.
The former Speaker expressed hope that Tinubu’s leadership could signal a new direction for the country, emphasizing that the president is confronting challenges head-on. The tax reform bills introduced by President Tinubu have stirred debate across the nation, but the president has reaffirmed that his actions will always be in the best interest of Nigerians.
“The president reforms in local government has reinforced more leadership to the third tier of government. What the president did with the local government was a master stroke.
“To give in to cheap argument because things are tough and he should back off is cowardice. We are having a leader who is courageous.
“With what President Bola Tinubu has done, whether it’s the freeing of local government areas from the choke-hold of economic stagnation the states had hitherto subjected them to or the groundbreaking bold tax reforms proposals he had placed before the National Assembly, I see a glimmer of hope that we may be dealing with a leader who is prepared to lead with unbridled courage even at personal cost.
“It gladdens my heart that we are now dealing with a leader who is not avoiding stubborn tasks and very much unwilling to put off difficult conversations.”
