Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is pursuing far-reaching reforms not as a politician seeking electoral advantage, but as a leader focused on securing a better future for generations yet unborn.

Gbajabiamila made this known while receiving leaders of a labour movement, Working People United (WOPU), at the State House, Abuja, where both sides expressed commitment to strengthening collaboration in support of national development.

Drawing a clear distinction between political expediency and statesmanship, the Chief of Staff said President Tinubu’s decisions reflect courage and long-term vision, even in the face of short-term challenges.

“While the politician thinks of the next election, a leader thinks of the next generation. The President was not thinking of the next election, otherwise he wouldn’t make those decisions, he was thinking of the next generation,” Gbajabiamila said.

He noted that the administration’s reforms, though difficult, were long overdue and required a leader willing to take bold steps in the interest of the country’s future.

According to him, even critics of the government have largely acknowledged the necessity of the reforms, with debates centred more on timing and execution rather than their fundamental value.

“We cannot talk about the President’s reforms enough. Even his fiercest critics acknowledge them. The best they say is that they were not properly planned, not that they are not good reforms,” he added.

Gbajabiamila likened the reform process to the turbulence experienced during an aircraft’s takeoff, assuring that the country is already approaching stability.

“The takeoff is always turbulent until you reach cruising level. We are almost, if not already, at that level,” he said, adding that the pains associated with reforms would ultimately give way to lasting benefits for Nigerians.

He also used the analogy of childbirth to emphasise the temporary nature of current hardships, noting that the eventual outcomes would justify the sacrifices being made.

The Chief of Staff commended WOPU for its constructive engagement with government, describing the group’s approach as a departure from the traditional role of labour unions, which often focus solely on criticism.

“It is one of the few times I am seeing a labour group that recognises that, even though we are not yet at Eldorado, there is work being done to get us there. That is a significant shift,” he said.

Gbajabiamila assured the group of the Presidency’s readiness to partner with stakeholders committed to good governance, national unity, and economic progress.

Earlier, the Coordinator-General of WOPU, Comrade Williams Akporeha, said the movement represents a broad coalition of Nigerian workers across sectors, united by a shared vision of a more inclusive and prosperous nation.

He explained that the group comprises artisans, professionals, entrepreneurs, farmers, transporters, and young people drawn from both the public and private sectors.

Akporeha said WOPU was committed to working with the Tinubu administration to promote policies that enhance productivity, strengthen democracy, and accelerate national development.

“Our movement is founded on the belief that the strength and prosperity of any nation lie in the unity, productivity, and welfare of its people,” he said.

He added that the group was already mobilising support nationwide for the continuation of the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda beyond 2027.

“With our presence across the 36 states, the FCT, 774 local government areas and 8,809 wards, we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria remains on the path of growth and opportunity,” Akporeha stated.

He described the proposed “4+4” vision as a pathway to consolidating ongoing reforms and safeguarding the progress recorded so far.

Both parties expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between government and organised groups like WOPU would deepen public trust, strengthen governance, and deliver long-term benefits for Nigerians. (The Nation)

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