“We cannot have the country we desire without the reforms we have initiated. It is painful at the beginning, in the short and medium term, but we must do what we have to do to take this nation to its great destiny.”
— President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerian Bar Association Conference, August 27, 2023.
Twelve questions circulating publicly have been attributed to former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, although their authorship remains unverified.
The National Patriots welcomes scrutiny. However, accountability demands facts, figures and recognition of federal, state and local government responsibilities.
Fuel subsidy: Where are the trillions saved from subsidy removal, and what tangible benefits have Nigerians received?
An August 2026 fiscal assessment estimated N15.8tn in subsidy savings: Federal Government, N5.43tn; states, N6.52tn; local governments, N3.88tn.
The resulting fiscal space supports six priorities: highways, railways and infrastructure; N223.8bn in student financing; N150bn in mortgage support; N50bn in consumer credit; healthcare, education, wages and social protection; and increased FAAC allocations.
These represent fiscal resources, not deposits in a separate subsidy-savings account.
The reform redirects public resources from consumption subsidies towards productive investment.
Insecurity: Why negotiate with bandits in the north while taking a different approach to security issues in the south-west?
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), had publicly opposed negotiations with bandits and ransom payments, advocating stronger security operations.
Negotiations with armed groups predated Tinubu’s administration, including during El-Rufai’s tenure as Kaduna governor.
Northern operations confront six challenges: extensive forests and remote settlements; cross-border criminals and illicit weapons; compromised intelligence; hostage risks; overlapping terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, illegal mining and communal conflicts; and ambushes against security personnel.
Intelligence-led operations in Oriire, Oyo State, and Kwara demonstrate the importance of surveillance, coordination and community intelligence.
Every Nigerian life matters equally. Different security circumstances require different operational strategies.
Electricity: you promised Nigerians should not re-elect you in 2027 if you failed to fix electricity. Where is the light?
President Tinubu’s statement during the 2022 presidential campaign was rhetorical emphasis—a figure of speech expressing his determination to resolve Nigeria’s electricity crisis, rather than a literal instruction to voters.
He signed the Electricity Act in June 2023, decentralising electricity generation, transmission and distribution and empowering states to establish electricity markets.
By May 2026, 15 states had assumed regulatory responsibilities: Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo and Plateau. Gombe subsequently transitioned; Akwa Ibom received a transfer order.
Abia: The 188MW Geometric Power Plant serves nine local government areas around Aba.
Lagos: 26MW Akute, 21MW Island Power and 40MW Victoria Island projects, including facilities targeting December 2026 commercial operations.
Edo: 100MW CCETC Independent Power Plant, targeting December 2026 inauguration, with 46MW reportedly installed.
Other states are advancing electricity investments. Regulatory transition differs from operational generation.
President Tinubu has delivered the fundamental legislative reform he promised to address Nigeria’s persistent electricity outages. With the legal and policy framework firmly established through his presidential powers, implementation now rests with state governments and their private-sector partners. The President has fulfilled his constitutional duty, laying the foundation for a sustainable and reliable electricity supply nationwide.
Poverty: With millions struggling to survive, what concrete steps has your government taken to reduce poverty, especially in Northern Nigeria?
Seven interventions demonstrate the administration’s approach:
Cash transfers: Since 2023, over N600bn has reached more than 10 million vulnerable households, according to the Humanitarian Affairs Minister.
Regional development: Five new commissions—North-West, North-Central, South-East, South-South and South-West—complement the North-East Commission, supporting infrastructure, humanitarian relief and economic empowerment.
Social protection: The National Social Protection Plan provides assistance frameworks for vulnerable Nigerians.
Cost of living: A 90-Day Cost-of-Living Reduction Plan targets household expenditure.
International programmes: The $1bn social protection initiative, NG-CARES, SOLID and HOPE support livelihoods, healthcare and education.
Northern allocations: Seven North-West states received approximately ₦749.7bn net FAAC during H1 2026.
Accountability: EFCC oversight seeks measurable benefits from subnational allocations.
For state-by-state research into how expanded FAAC allocations support infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and social interventions across six geopolitical zones, consult Nigeria’s Great Reset: Rebuilding Today for a Prosperous Tomorrow, by me.
Poverty reduction requires social protection, employment, regional development and accountability.
Agriculture: Where are the promised marketing boards, guaranteed prices and investments to make food affordable?
Six interventions include:
Guaranteed prices: N200bn Bank of Agriculture Guaranteed Minimum Price Programme, announced September 8, 2026.
Farmer support: Targeting 500,000 farmers and 11.5 million beneficiary households.
Irrigation: $500m World Bank-supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project.
Production: 500,000 hectares of irrigated farmland by 2030 target.
Commodity development: Proposed Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board.
Industrial agriculture: Mechanisation, financing, agro-processing and year-round cultivation.
Nigeria cannot achieve food security through seasonal rainfall alone.
Irrigation and guaranteed pricing can increase production, stabilise supply and reduce food inflation.
Digital jobs: where are the one million digital jobs promised to Nigerian youths?
The Three Million Technical Talent Programme, supervised by Minister Bosun Tijani, is developing Nigeria’s technology workforce.
Milestones include training over 135,000 Nigerians; giving 300,000 access to educational resources; registering 1.8 million people; and facilitating about 15,000 employment and career opportunities.
Implementation covers 36 states and the FCT, with training in software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data analysis.
Technology partners support internships, employment and entrepreneurship. Facilitated opportunities are not necessarily permanent jobs, but the programme develops employable skills.
industrialisation: How many industries have you built or revived in the north-west, and what is the status of the AKK gas pipeline?
Industrial initiatives include Kaduna’s Kakuri textile revitalisation; Kano’s leather and garment industries; Bank of Industry manufacturing finance; and the proposed Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board.
The 614-kilometre Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline is central to Northern industrialisation and electricity.
The administration has promoted a $50 billion gas-sector investment initiative covering production, processing, transportation, industrial utilisation and exports. This represents investment mobilisation, not government subvention.
The inherited AKK project faced insecurity, attacks, worker fatalities, flooding, difficult terrain, River Niger engineering challenges and financing problems.
Oilserv Chairman, Emeka Okwuosa, cited security disruptions, reduced working hours and higher costs.
Expected Chinese financing failed to materialise, requiring NNPC funding.
NNPC reported approximately 95 per cent completion in August 2026.
Completion should unlock Northern industrial opportunities.
Abductions: why does the government’s response to school abductions appear different across regions? Does every Nigerian life matter equally?
Absolutely. Every Nigerian life matters equally.
Rescue strategies depend on seven considerations: intelligence about abductors; terrain and accessibility; hostage safety; interagency coordination; community intelligence; operational flexibility; and demographic factors.
Demographics include population density, settlement patterns, community composition, local languages, population movements and school locations, affecting intelligence, surveillance and rescue operations.
Intelligence-led interventions in Oriire, Oyo State, demonstrate the importance of adapting tactics.
Security operations in Kwara and Niger reportedly rescued 308 abductees in August 2026. Headlinenews.News previously examined the Oriire operation.
The government should be judged by its lawful efforts to protect citizens and secure their release, not by whether every operation follows identical procedures. Every Nigerian life matters equally, irrespective of ethnicity, religion, geographical location or demographic circumstances.
Sunday Igboho versus El Rufai: Why act on the pleas of Yoruba monarchs regarding Sunday Igboho but seemingly ignore northern traditional rulers on comparable security and justice concerns involving El-Rufai?
These cases involve different allegations and legal circumstances.
Igboho’s case arose from separatist agitation and associated security allegations.
El-Rufai’s concerns stem from statements about alleged interception of the National Security Adviser’s communications.
In February 2026, the DSS instituted proceedings following statements attributed to El-Rufai during a television interview.
El-Rufai retains the presumption of innocence and constitutional protections.
Traditional rulers may advocate reconciliation but cannot override judicial proceedings.
Equality before the law requires fair treatment, not identical outcomes in legally different cases.
Governors’ accountability: You asked Nigerians to hold governors accountable. What practical mechanisms will you provide to make that possible?
On October 1, 2026, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced presidential approval to monitor FAAC allocations to states and local governments.
Subnational responsibilities include education, primary and secondary healthcare, agriculture, state and local roads, drainage, water supply, employment and community development.
Increased FAAC allocations must produce measurable improvements in public services. Governors and local governments must account for public resources.
Kaduna promises: You made promises about jobs, agriculture, security and the Akk pipeline in Kaduna in 2022. Which have you fulfilled?
Kaduna has recorded completed, ongoing and approved initiatives.
Healthcare: Tinubu commissioned the 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital in June 2025 and pledged support for cancer treatment and nuclear medicine.
Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital announced the relocation of 14 specialist clinics to Millennium City, effective October 26, 2026:
Gastroenterology, cardiology, rheumatology, dermatology, endocrinology, nephrology, pulmonology, neurology, psychiatry, general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, urology, neurosurgery and oncology.
Transportation: 100 CNG buses, reportedly carrying 3.2 million passengers and generating N3.5bn in commuter savings.
Roads: Kafanchan township roads, Kauru–Kubau, Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway and N178bn Mando–Birnin Gwari reconstruction.
Rail: 203-kilometre Kaduna–Kano railway and Kaduna Light Rail, with June 2026 contractor mobilisation, 50 kilometres across two corridors and estimated N1tn investment.
Industry: AKK pipeline, textile revitalisation and manufacturing.
Agriculture and employment: Governor Uba Sani’s agricultural, vocational and skills-development programmes.
Trust: If you were a Nigerian struggling under your administration, would you trust your promises a second time?
Speaking personally, my answer is an unequivocal yes.
Having examined questions 1–11, I find compelling reasons to support President Tinubu’s re-election.
I would score his administration 85 per cent in fulfilling his electoral promises, considering reforms undertaken, achievements recorded and programmes under implementation.
The remaining 15 per cent reflects bureaucratic delays and factors dependent on subnational governments, particularly local governments receiving substantially increased FAAC allocations without corresponding visible improvements in citizens’ lives.
President Tinubu’s EFCC oversight directive demonstrates his determination to strengthen accountability.
Consider nine areas of progress:
Economic reforms: Subsidy removal, foreign-exchange restructuring and increased revenues.
NNPC remittances: Over $15bn remitted to the CBN within three years, according to figures examined in Nigeria’s Great Reset.
FAAC: Increased allocations supporting salaries and development.
Social protection: Assistance frameworks for vulnerable Nigerians.
Education: NELFUND student financing and vocational training.
Youth empowerment: 3MTT, National Talent Export Programme, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises, Nigerian Youth Academy, Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalisation Programme and National Youth Skills Programme.
Infrastructure: Highways, railways, electricity and gas.
Gas investment: $50bn initiative targeting industrialisation, employment and exports.
Food security: Irrigation and year-round cultivation.
President Tinubu has demonstrated humanitarian concern through social protection, cost-of-living interventions and difficult reforms intended to secure prosperity.
As the Hausa proverb says, “Jumma’a mai kyau tun daga Laraba ake gane ta.”
The Friday that will be good can already be recognised from Wednesday.
My answer remains an unequivocal yes. I would vote for President Tinubu again in 2027, and I encourage Nigerians across the country to do the same.
We know President Tinubu well enough. His decisions, determination and achievements demonstrate his commitment to Nigeria’s progress and the welfare of its citizens. He has shown courage in undertaking difficult reforms, compassion for vulnerable Nigerians and a vision for sustainable prosperity.
The 12 questions attributed to the opposition have been answered with facts, figures, policies and evidence of implementation.
In my considered opinion, there is no compelling reason why President Tinubu should be denied the opportunity to complete the reforms he initiated. Absolutely none.
A second term would enable him to consolidate these achievements, accelerate implementation and translate economic stabilisation into lasting prosperity.
The National Patriots welcomes constructive scrutiny while distinguishing completed achievements, ongoing projects and approved initiatives.
We can document at least 100 reasons, reforms, achievements and development initiatives undertaken during President Tinubu’s first three years, covering economic restructuring, infrastructure, electricity, agriculture, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, security, social protection and industrialisation.
State and local governments must account for increased FAAC allocations.
The ultimate test of Nigeria’s Great Reset is not merely how much government collects, but how much Nigerians benefit.
Princess Adebajo-Fraser is the President of The National Patriots