The Presidency has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership style and reform agenda, arguing that history will judge his administration by the difficult economic and structural decisions it has taken rather than by short-term political criticism.
Speaking during a television interview, a presidential spokesman said President Tinubu inherited deep-rooted structural problems and has deliberately chosen what he described as "the road less travelled" by implementing reforms previous administrations avoided.
Responding to criticism that President Tinubu grants relatively few extended media interviews, the presidential aide said the President governs through a constitutional system that empowers ministers and senior government officials to communicate administration policies.
He noted that the President appoints ministers, security chiefs and other officials, delegates responsibilities to them, and expects them to speak on behalf of the administration.
"When they speak, they speak for the President. They represent the President and his policies."
According to him, presidential engagement should not be measured solely by direct interviews, insisting there are multiple channels through which the administration communicates with Nigerians.
Asked what historians would remember most if the administration ended today, the spokesman said President Tinubu would be recognised as a leader willing to confront long-standing economic problems that previous governments avoided.
He listed the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms and efforts to dismantle entrenched interests in the oil and forex sectors among the administration's defining achievements.
"We have a President who has chosen to take those tough decisions, who has chosen the road less travelled."
The spokesman argued that the administration has improved Nigeria's macroeconomic outlook and is laying foundations for long-term growth through investments in infrastructure, agriculture, education and healthcare.
He claimed the government has introduced more than 50 policy initiatives within its first three years, each aimed at addressing specific national challenges.
While defending the administration's reforms, the presidential aide admitted that many Nigerians are yet to fully appreciate the necessity of the policies.
He attributed this partly to the difficult economic conditions inherited by the administration and partly to political opposition.
According to him, President Tinubu assumed office facing what he described as a "defective foundation" that required rebuilding rather than simply expanding existing structures.
"When you inherit a defective foundation, you have to start rebuilding before others can build on it."
He also argued that political competition often makes it more difficult for governments to communicate reforms effectively, saying opposition parties naturally seek to discredit those in power.
The spokesman dismissed calls by opposition figures urging President Tinubu to resign.
He said opposition leaders have every constitutional right to criticise the government, just as the government has the right to respond.
According to him, Nigeria operates a presidential system in which leaders are elected for fixed terms, meaning voters not political opponents ultimately decide whether a president remains in office.
"There is no basis for the President to resign."
The interview also focused extensively on opposition figure Peter Obi.
The presidential spokesman rejected suggestions that the government fears Obi's political influence.
He argued that while Obi may have posed a significant electoral challenge in 2023, the situation has changed.
"Maybe before Peter Obi was a threat. Right now, Peter Obi is no threat."
The spokesman maintained that the administration's confidence stems from what it considers its performance record rather than political calculations.
He further described some of Obi's public interventions as unconvincing, saying the government's priority remains governance rather than responding to opposition rhetoric.
The presidential aide insisted that the Tinubu administration is concentrating on delivering policies rather than engaging in political battles.
He said the government believes its achievements in economic reforms, infrastructure, education, healthcare and other sectors will ultimately determine public judgment.
According to him, many of the policies currently being implemented had been part of President Tinubu's long-standing vision even before he assumed office.
He concluded that the President remains committed to implementing reforms despite criticism, expressing confidence that history would recognise the administration's efforts to address Nigeria's structural challenges.
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