By Francis Sadhere, Warri
In this interview, Chief (Mrs) Esther Ori Okotie-Eboh, Director General of FOOG Women Support Group for Tinubu and Iye of Warri Kingdom, shares her views on why she believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term in office and why the South should complete its turn in Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement.
Excerpt:
Q: Why do you believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term?
A: President Tinubu came into office at a very difficult time in Nigeria’s history. From day one, he took bold decisions that many leaders avoided for years. The removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system were not easy choices, but they were necessary to correct deep structural imbalances in our economy. These are reforms that require time to stabilize and yield results. One term is simply not enough to fully consolidate such far-reaching changes.
Q: Critics argue that the reforms have caused hardship. How do you respond to that?
A: Major structural reforms anywhere in the world often come with initial challenges. What is important is whether those reforms are designed to create long-term stability and growth. Supporters believe that the current policies are resetting Nigeria’s fiscal foundation. A second term would allow the administration to fine-tune these reforms and ensure that the benefits are felt more broadly across the country.
Q: What is your view on the President’s recent Executive Order on oil and gas revenue?
A: The Executive Order directing that oil and gas revenues be paid directly into the Federation Account is a significant policy move. It adjusts the implementation framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to strengthen transparency and accountability. This step shows the President’s commitment to fiscal discipline in the oil sector, which remains Nigeria’s most strategic industry. Such reforms require continuity to ensure proper institutional alignment and enforcement.
Q: How important is continuity for Nigeria’s economy at this stage?
A: Continuity is critical. Investors and development partners value predictability. The administration is focusing on infrastructure expansion, tax reform, and investment-driven growth. Interrupting leadership at this stage could disrupt ongoing projects and investor confidence. Stable leadership during a reform era provides the confidence needed for economic recovery and long-term planning.
Q: You have also spoken about zoning and regional balance. Why is that important?
A: Nigeria’s political stability has long depended on an informal power rotation between the North and the South. After President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North, power shifted to the South in 2023 with President Tinubu’s election. While zoning is not written into the Constitution, it has become a stabilizing convention in our democracy. Allowing the South to complete two terms maintains trust in this arrangement and strengthens national cohesion.
Q: Some say zoning should not override performance. What is your position?
A: Performance and balance are not mutually exclusive. In this case, supporters argue that the President is implementing transformative reforms while also representing the South in the rotational framework. Completing the South’s turn reinforces fairness and reduces perceptions of marginalization. It is about both governance and unity.
Q: Why do you think completing two terms under a southern presidency matters?
A: Interrupting the South’s turn after one term could reignite regional tensions. Completing two terms reinforces the principle of equity that has guided Nigeria’s democratic practice since 1999. It sends a message that the system is consistent and that agreements — even unwritten ones — are respected.
Q: What is your final message to Nigerians?
A: Nigeria is undergoing economic and institutional recalibration. Reform requires patience and steady leadership. Ultimately, Nigerians will decide through democratic means. But for those of us who believe in continuity, the message is clear: consolidating reforms and maintaining regional balance are essential for stability and long-term progress.
In this interview, Chief (Mrs) Esther Ori Okotie-Eboh, Director General of FOOG Women Support Group for Tinubu and Iye of Warri Kingdom, shares her views on why she believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term in office and why the South should complete its turn in Nigeria’s power rotation arrangement.
Excerpt:
Q: Why do you believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term?
A: President Tinubu came into office at a very difficult time in Nigeria’s history. From day one, he took bold decisions that many leaders avoided for years. The removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange system were not easy choices, but they were necessary to correct deep structural imbalances in our economy. These are reforms that require time to stabilize and yield results. One term is simply not enough to fully consolidate such far-reaching changes.
Q: Critics argue that the reforms have caused hardship. How do you respond to that?
A: Major structural reforms anywhere in the world often come with initial challenges. What is important is whether those reforms are designed to create long-term stability and growth. Supporters believe that the current policies are resetting Nigeria’s fiscal foundation. A second term would allow the administration to fine-tune these reforms and ensure that the benefits are felt more broadly across the country.
Q: What is your view on the President’s recent Executive Order on oil and gas revenue?
A: The Executive Order directing that oil and gas revenues be paid directly into the Federation Account is a significant policy move. It adjusts the implementation framework of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 to strengthen transparency and accountability. This step shows the President’s commitment to fiscal discipline in the oil sector, which remains Nigeria’s most strategic industry. Such reforms require continuity to ensure proper institutional alignment and enforcement.
Q: How important is continuity for Nigeria’s economy at this stage?
A: Continuity is critical. Investors and development partners value predictability. The administration is focusing on infrastructure expansion, tax reform, and investment-driven growth. Interrupting leadership at this stage could disrupt ongoing projects and investor confidence. Stable leadership during a reform era provides the confidence needed for economic recovery and long-term planning.
Q: You have also spoken about zoning and regional balance. Why is that important?
A: Nigeria’s political stability has long depended on an informal power rotation between the North and the South. After President Muhammadu Buhari, who is from the North, power shifted to the South in 2023 with President Tinubu’s election. While zoning is not written into the Constitution, it has become a stabilizing convention in our democracy. Allowing the South to complete two terms maintains trust in this arrangement and strengthens national cohesion.
Q: Some say zoning should not override performance. What is your position?
A: Performance and balance are not mutually exclusive. In this case, supporters argue that the President is implementing transformative reforms while also representing the South in the rotational framework. Completing the South’s turn reinforces fairness and reduces perceptions of marginalization. It is about both governance and unity.
Q: Why do you think completing two terms under a southern presidency matters?
A: Interrupting the South’s turn after one term could reignite regional tensions. Completing two terms reinforces the principle of equity that has guided Nigeria’s democratic practice since 1999. It sends a message that the system is consistent and that agreements — even unwritten ones — are respected.
Q: What is your final message to Nigerians?
A: Nigeria is undergoing economic and institutional recalibration. Reform requires patience and steady leadership. Ultimately, Nigerians will decide through democratic means. But for those of us who believe in continuity, the message is clear: consolidating reforms and maintaining regional balance are essential for stability and long-term progress.
