Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, has described President Bola Tinubu as one of the most renowned democrats in Nigeria, citing his commitment to democratic governance, constitutional order and political inclusiveness.
Bagudu made the remarks during the Progressive Governors Forum–Renewed Hope Ambassadors interactive session with members of the diplomatic community in Abuja.
The former Kebbi State governor defended his position by highlighting President Tinubu’s role in promoting democracy both within Nigeria and across the West African sub-region in his capacity as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.
According to him, Tinubu’s democratic disposition has led to difficult political decisions, including actions that strained relationships with some leaders in the sub-region because of his commitment to democratic principles.
Bagudu also pointed to the independence of the judiciary under Tinubu’s administration, noting that courts have continued to deliver judgments against the ruling party without interference.
He recalled that Tinubu emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress through what he described as fiercely contested primaries involving several aspirants.
“Mr President, as a firm believer in our federalism, has continuously engaged with state governors, either bilaterally or through the National Economic Council,” Bagudu said.
“In fact, he underscored the importance of the federating units by reaching agreements with them on how to sustain the reforms.”
He added that some governors who were previously outside the ruling party had since aligned with the administration due to confidence in the reform agenda being pursued by the federal government.
“As you will hear from the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and their team, the results achieved have encouraged some governors who were previously not in the ruling party to join Mr President in ensuring the sustainability of the reforms,” he stated.
Bagudu maintained that Tinubu’s democratic credentials are rooted in years of political struggle and consistent support for constitutional governance.
“Our Constitution is very clear about our democratic form of governance, and Mr President is one of the most renowned democrats in the country. Not only has he fought for democracy, but he has consistently promoted it,” he said.
The minister further cited the conduct of elections since Tinubu assumed office, noting that opposition parties had also recorded electoral victories under the current administration.
“In 2022, he emerged as the presidential candidate of our party through fiercely contested primaries involving several aspirants,” he said.
“Since he was sworn in as President, we have seen different elections won by both the ruling party and opposition parties.”
Bagudu also referred to legal battles involving states such as Zamfara, Kano and Plateau, where court rulings went against the APC, noting that the president accepted the judgments and urged party members to respect the decisions.
“As Chairman of ECOWAS, he even risked relationships with some of our brothers in the sub-region because of his unapologetic commitment to democracy,” he stated.
“Our court system has remained independent under his leadership. We have seen judgments delivered against the ruling party. Some of us recall painfully how, despite believing we had won elections in Zamfara, Kano and Plateau states, the Supreme Court ruled otherwise. Yet, Mr President accepted the judgments and encouraged all of us to do the same.”
Speaking on the administration’s economic policies, Bagudu said the government inherited major challenges and had to make difficult but necessary decisions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This administration campaigned and won the 2023 election on the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is a clarion call to mobilise all Nigerians around a transformative agenda rooted in our Constitution and reflective of both our realities and aspirations,” he said.
“We are a constitutional federation, a constitutional democracy, a constitutional market economy, and a constitutional rule-based country.”
According to him, the agenda recognised the country’s economic realities and the need to move beyond political blame games.
“The agenda drew attention to the reality that we were not where we ought to be, and that blame games do not deliver results. Thus, the need for bold, courageous, tough but necessary choices to shepherd the economy in the right direction, all rooted in our Constitution,” he added.
Bagudu further stated that the administration had recorded notable progress in implementing its reform programmes over the past three years.
“In the last three years, President Tinubu has led the implementation of the agenda with outstanding results, which shall be conveyed in the budget message by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Governor Hope Uzodimma,” he said.
