The 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has said Nigerians may have to wait another two to three years before fully feeling the impact of the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
Cole stated this on Tuesday while speaking on Political Paradigm aired on Channels Television, where he addressed growing concerns over the delay in translating macroeconomic gains into tangible benefits for citizens.
Responding to a question on when ordinary Nigerians would begin to feel relief, Cole said the process may take longer than expected if allowed to unfold naturally.
“If you ask me, I suspect that before you begin to see the impact at the very bottom, if you allow things to just move naturally, you are going to look for another two to three years before you see it,” he said.
The APC chieftain emphasised that while macroeconomic indicators may improve, the real test of government policies lies in their impact on everyday life.
“The man at the bottom… cares about feeding, transportation and getting a job that will at least pay,” he added.
He stressed the need for deliberate and targeted interventions to ensure that economic gains reach the wider population.
Cole noted that governments around the world must channel significant resources towards improving citizens’ welfare, adding that Nigeria has struggled in this regard.
According to him, existing incentives have not been sufficiently broad-based to cater for a population of over 200 million people.
Despite current economic hardship, the former governorship candidate expressed optimism about Nigeria’s long-term prospects, citing improvements in investor confidence.
Since assuming office in 2023, Tinubu’s administration has implemented key reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, tax adjustments, local government autonomy initiatives, and student loan programmes aimed at promoting sustainable growth.
However, the policies have also triggered rising inflation and increased cost of living, drawing criticism from opposition figures and sections of the public.
On the political situation in Rivers State, Cole described the landscape as uncertain, alleging that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has faced limitations in demonstrating strong leadership.
He said, “The situation is deeply confused,” adding that while the governor initially enjoyed public sympathy, many residents are now becoming disillusioned.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Cole maintained that voters in Rivers State are increasingly receptive to political change.
He expressed confidence that credible and violence-free elections could significantly reshape the state’s political trajectory, while reaffirming his commitment to the APC and ongoing internal party engagements.