President Bola Tinubu has offered a strong defense of the economic situation he met upon taking office, clarifying that his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, was a dedicated partner in the Nigerian project rather than a source of failure. The President made these remarks to address ongoing narratives that blame the previous administration for the country’s current fiscal challenges.
Tinubu emphasized that he did not inherit a “ghost economy,” but rather one that faced global structural headwinds and domestic pressures which both he and Buhari worked to address. He described their relationship as one of continuity and mutual respect, noting that the difficult reforms currently being implemented—such as the removal of the fuel subsidy and the unification of the exchange rate—were necessary steps discussed and understood by both leaders to prevent a total national collapse. By labeling Buhari as a “partner,” Tinubu sought to project a front of administrative unity, insisting that the focus should remain on the long-term benefits of these “bold” economic corrections rather than finger-pointing at the past.
