The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Nasarawa, Ahmed Wadada, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s policies and programmes, citing improving economic indicators.

Mr Wadada spoke on Thursday after meeting Mr Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he assessed the administration’s performance and outlined plans for Nasarawa.

The senator said only “an open enemy” would dismiss the achievements recorded by the Tinubu government.

“But for anybody to sit down and wish away this administration, then that person is either ignorant, or not realistic, or an open enemy,” he said.

He distinguished opposition from hostility, arguing that criticism should acknowledge measurable progress recorded across key sectors of the economy.

Mr Wadada said available data showed significant improvements in Nigeria’s economic fundamentals. He cited gains in the balance of payments, balance of trade, foreign reserves, exchange rate stability and capital market performance as evidence of progress.

According to him, Nigeria’s foreign reserves increased from below $30 billion when Mr Tinubu took office to about $56 billion. He also credited the unification of the foreign exchange windows with helping to stabilise the naira and improve investor confidence.

The lawmaker further pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide and growth in the capital market as indicators of economic recovery.

“There are glaring improvements, developments and growth in every sector, but that is not to say all is well. Much more needs to be done,” Mr Wadada explained, acknowledging that challenges remained despite the progress achieved.

He also praised the administration for signing the Electricity Act, describing it as a transformative reform for state-level power generation. According to him, the legislation allows states to leverage their comparative advantages to generate electricity and accelerate economic development.

Turning to Nasarawa politics, Mr Wadada unveiled his development blueprint, known as the ‘HEARTS Agenda’, ahead of the governorship election. He said the agenda focuses on human capital development, energy and mineral resources, agriculture and the green economy.

Other priority areas include rural and urban development, trade and investment promotion, as well as security enhancement across the state.

Mr Wadada said education and healthcare would form the foundation of his human capital development programme if elected governor. He pledged to harness Nasarawa’s vast mineral deposits and energy resources to stimulate industrialisation, create jobs and attract investments.

The APC candidate noted that Nasarawa State had emerged as a major player in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector. He highlighted the presence of the country’s first and second lithium processing plants in the state as evidence of its mining potential.

On agriculture, Wadada proposed establishing three agricultural hubs, one in each senatorial district, based on regional comparative advantages. He said the hubs would boost productivity, strengthen value chains and create employment opportunities for residents.

The senator also promised to consolidate the achievements of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration. He commended Mr Sule for raising Nasarawa’s profile through infrastructure development and the expansion of the mining industry.

“So much is expected of me, and Inshallah, we shall deliver,” Mr Wadada said.

(NAN)