Tompolo, Yoruba group endorse Tinubu for second term
The duo of Niger Delta chieftain, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, and a Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Yoruba Aborigines Progressive Initiative, have declared their support for a second term bid by President Bola Tinubu.
In separate statements on Sunday, they based their endorsement of Tinubu on his administration’s strides in security, economy, infrastructure, and sectoral development.
Tompolo described Tinubu as “a leader who thrives under unusual circumstances, boldly making transformative decisions that have placed Nigeria on the path of sustainable development.”
YAPI’s chairman, Olushola John, specifically mentioned initiatives introduced by the administration such as student loan facilities, removing Customs duties on imported pharmaceuticals to improve affordability, and efforts to tackle rising food costs.
The Yoruba group also highlighted Tinubu’s key policy decisions including “the controversial removal of fuel subsidy, revitalisation of the nation’s refineries and the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy as major milestones in Nigeria’s progress.”
On his part, Ekpemupolo, who is a Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, vowed to join other progressive-minded leaders and people of the Niger Delta to promote the campaign for Tinubu’s continuity beyond 2027.
He commended the President’s support in the fight against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which, he said, has increased the nation’s crude oil production from 600,000 barrels per day to about 1.8 million barrels per day.
“We will join other progressive-minded leaders and the good people of the Niger Delta to preach your gospel of continuity beyond 2027.
“Nothing can change our support. It’s your turn for another four years, and we are backing you solidly,” Ekpemupolo said.
Ekpemupolo further regarded key accomplishments of the Tinubu administration including “doubling aggregate revenue to over N9.1tn; reducing revenue spent on debt servicing from 97 per cent to 68 per cent; clearing $5bn in outstanding foreign exchange obligations; revitalising the oil and gas sector and creating the Compressed Natural Gas initiative.”
Others, he said, comprise “establishing the Student Loan Fund and disbursing N45.6bn to students; unlocking a $700bn mining fortune through the transformation of the solid minerals sector; spearheading monumental infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway; signing into law the bill establishing the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State.”
“Tinubu’s bold reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and a more unified forex management system, have reshaped Nigeria’s economic landscape,” he added.
Restating its support for Tinubu’s second term, the Yoruba aborigines spokesperson, Olatubosun Awonuga, said, “It is not only YAPI that has declared support for the president’s second-term bid; several other social-interest groups have also done the same.
“YAPI’s support is rooted in a desire to contribute to national progress; It is not out of place for us to express our support for the president.
Credit – Punch
