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…defend reforms, warn against one-term presidency calls

By Gloria Ikibah

A political support group, under the auspices of the ‘Renewed Hope Grassroots Initiatives’, has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu, urging Nigerians to back him for a second term in 2027 in the interest of stability and continuity.

Speaking at a world press conference in Abuja on Sunday, Director Generalof the group, Jaafaru Sa’ad, said the administration had made measurable progress despite inheriting deep-rooted challenges.

Sa’ad argued that Nigeria’s long-standing security concerns predate the current administration and should not be solely attributed to it.

He added that reforms in the security and intelligence architecture will take time to yield results.

“Insecurity did not start with President Bola Tinubu. He inherited it from the four past Presidents, and he is dealing with it and solving them.

“Trying to blame President Tinubu for the security challenges is disingenuous.”

“The President is redesigning the intelligence and security architecture he inherited and these things do not materialise overnight,” he said.

On the issue of power rotation, Sa’ad stressed the importance of allowing the current administration to complete a full term in line with established political balance.

He warned Nigerians against political actors advocating a single four-year term, arguing that such proposals could disrupt governance and national balance.

“In the spirit of equity, fairness, good conscience and national unity, it becomes just, fair and equitable for President Tinubu to be allowed the chance to complete his 8yrs tenure.

“It would amount to injustice and a call for unrest should the South… be denied the opportunity of completing their tenure.”

“A single term of four years does not grant enough time to effect any substantive change and capable of truncating the peaceful rotational presidency we have enjoyed.

“Nigerians should be wary of desperate politicians who are promising them one term in office. A single term of four years does not grant enough time to effect any substantive
change and capable of truncating the peaceful rotational presidency we have enjoyed so far as a nation. If they could not fix a state they governed in eight and did not turn it into an Eldorado in that region, it exposes the underbelly fraudulent character of men who are desperately gallivanting the nooks and crannies of Nigeria seeking to hide under fake promises to usurp power. This also exposes their naivety and lack of the understanding of the complexities of governance,” he said.

Sa’ad who made reference to what he described as signs of economic recovery under the current administration, cited improvements in inflation figures, foreign reserves and investor confidence.

“Economic growth is returning to Nigeria courtesy of the
many works and economic reforms being carried out by Mr. President. Inflation rate which hit a 30-year high of 34.8% in December 2024, went down to 15.2% in December 2025. The International Monetary Fund, IMF, expects the Nigeria economy to expand by 4.4% in 2026.

“This is largely because of the work being done by Mr. President. Another huge indication that Mr. President is doing a fantastic job to rebuild the economy, is that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, foreign exchange reserves have risen to $46billion, which is the highest the country has witnessed in the last seven years.
“On October 24th, 2025, the President welcomed the news of Nigeria’s delisting from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. What does this mean? It’s a massive milestone in president Tinubu’ financial governance reform. Being on the grey list meant international friction and higher costs for Nigerian businesses. Its removal signals global confidence in Nigeria’s commitment to combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
“Other key areas that have helped the economy through the initiatives of the President include the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange reforms that have bolstered investor confidence, and over $5 billion in oil and gas investment decisions in 2024.,” he said.

On social intervention, he referenced education financing and welfare programmes introduced by the government.

“Tinubu’s administration grants access to education for the poor and middle classes who would not have considered education,” he noted, referring to the student loan scheme and support initiatives.

Sa’ad further listed major infrastructure projects across the country as evidence of a broader development agenda aimed at national integration.

He called for patience, and acknowledged that reforms often come with short-term hardship.

“It is in the light of these and many others too numerous to mention that we, the members of the Renewed Hope Grass Root Initiatives, RHGI, call all on Nigerians to give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu another four years in 2027 to complete the beautiful work he has been doing.

“Reforms everywhere in the world comes with a lot of cost. It comes with pains. And like the saying goes, no pains, no gains. Nigerian should endure today for a brighter and better future.
“The Renewed Hope Grassroots Initiative stands firmly in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, advocating for the completion of his eight-year tenure to ensure regional equity and the consolidation of the transformative governance he has initiated within the last three years.

“Through our grassroots-oriented membership structure of 18 National Working Committee Members, 109 Zonal Directors, 6,066 LGA Executives, 61,663 Ward Executives, and 884, 225 Unit Representatives cutting across the 36 States and FCT, 774 LGAs, 8,809 Wards, and 176, 845 polling units of the Federation, we aim to reach and mobilize three million Nigerian Voters for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reelection bid and ensuring a hitch free coast to power at the presidential election poll”.

The Director-General of RHGI therefore urged Nigerians to support the President’s re-election bid, saying the group would mobilise voters nationwide to ensure continuity in 2027.

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United States President Donald Trump has thrown away the possibility of accepting new Iran’s peace proposal.

Trump made this known in a post on his Truth Social on Saturday, stating that he would review a new Iranian peace proposal

Recall that negotiations between the two countries have not yielded positive fruits since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8.

Trump’s remark comes after Iran’s Tasnim and Fars news agencies reported that Tehran submitted a 14-point proposal to mediator Islamabad.

“I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years,” Trump said.

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner over recent reports of attacks targeting Nigerians and their businesses in the country.

According to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the envoy has been invited to a meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4, 2026, in Abuja, where Nigeria will formally convey its concerns over the developments.

The government said the move follows reports that recent protests in South Africa have escalated into incidents of harassment, violence, and destruction of properties belonging to foreign nationals, including Nigerians.

Officials are expected to engage the South African representative on the situation, particularly the alleged mistreatment of Nigerian citizens and the impact on their businesses.

The development echoes previous episodes of xenophobic violence in South Africa, which have, at different times, strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.

While acknowledging the tension, the Nigerian government urged its citizens to remain calm, assuring that the matter is being addressed through diplomatic channels. It also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians living abroad.

Nigeria and South Africa maintain strong economic and political ties, although recurring incidents involving foreign nationals have periodically tested the relationship.

The outcome of the planned meeting is expected to play a role in easing tensions and reinforcing diplomatic engagement between both nations.