Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election is not a source of concern for his supporters, expressing confidence that the administration’s ongoing reforms will deliver lasting economic and national benefits.
Shaibu made the remarks on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at his polling unit in Etsako West Local Government Area during the Edo State Local Government Council Election.
He described President Tinubu as a seasoned political strategist whose experience, foresight and resilience have consistently enabled him to overcome political challenges.
“The election is nothing to worry about; it is like a feast for us. When you have a Jagaban who plans ahead, everything becomes easier. What we are witnessing now is just the beginning,” Shaibu said.
The former Edo State Deputy Governor recalled Tinubu’s political battles during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State and ahead of the 2023 general election, saying the President had repeatedly demonstrated his capacity to triumph over adversity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is a national politician who understands the game. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to overcome political challenges,” he stated.
Shaibu said the Tinubu administration is using its first term to lay a solid foundation for sustainable development, insisting that the gains of the current reforms would become more evident in the years ahead.
Commenting on the nation’s economic challenges, he acknowledged the hardship experienced by many Nigerians but maintained that the difficult decisions being implemented were necessary to secure the country’s long-term prosperity.
“When this administration came on board, many people complained about the high cost of commodities. Gradually, we are beginning to see improvements. Nation-building requires making difficult decisions that may not be popular today but will benefit the country in the future,” he said.
Drawing parallels with Tinubu’s years as Governor of Lagos State, Shaibu noted that many of the bold policies implemented at the time, including large-scale demolitions for infrastructure development, were initially criticised but ultimately transformed Lagos into Nigeria’s commercial hub.
“When President Tinubu started rebuilding Lagos, many people complained about the demolitions. Today, Lagos is rightly regarded as the Centre of Excellence. Whatever we are going through now will not last forever. As the Scripture says, ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning,'” he added.
Shaibu expressed optimism that the present economic sacrifices would soon give way to sustained growth, insisting that President Tinubu’s leadership and long-term vision would continue to position Nigeria on the path of stability, development and shared prosperity.
