Tinubu Has Outperformed Every Elected President, APC Spokesman Declares — But What Does the Record Show?

A bold political claim has put President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's record back at the centre of Nigeria's political debate.

The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has declared that Tinubu has performed better than every democratically elected president in Nigeria, particularly when their records are compared at similar points in their first terms. Morka made the claim during an interview with Channels Television while defending the Tinubu administration's economic policies.

It is a statement guaranteed to generate debate.

For supporters of the administration, Tinubu's reforms have begun changing the foundations of an economy they believe had become unsustainable.

For critics, however, the reforms have come with an enormous cost — particularly through higher food, fuel and transportation prices and a prolonged cost-of-living crisis.

So the bigger question is not simply whether Morka's statement is politically powerful.

It is:

What evidence supports the claim, and what does the Nigerian experience under Tinubu actually look like?

What Felix Morka Actually Said

Morka did not present his statement as a modest assessment.

He made a sweeping comparison with Nigeria's elected presidents.

According to the APC spokesman, Tinubu has outperformed every democratically elected president during their respective terms.

When challenged to identify the indicators supporting the claim, Morka argued that the evidence could be seen in Nigeria's economic situation.

He said the Tinubu administration inherited an economy that was already in extremely poor condition and attributed much of that situation to previous governments, particularly the period before the APC came to power in 2015.

Morka also described former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration as a transitional period that prevented Nigeria from falling further into crisis.

His argument is therefore built around a comparison:

Tinubu inherited a deeply damaged economy, made difficult decisions that previous governments avoided, and is now beginning to produce results.

But whether that makes him Nigeria's best-performing elected president is a much larger question.

Tinubu Inherited a Difficult Economy

There is little dispute that Tinubu inherited major economic problems when he became president in May 2023.

Nigeria was dealing with foreign-exchange shortages, fuel-subsidy costs, weak government revenues, high debt obligations and structural problems in the economy.

The new administration immediately decided that gradual change was not enough.

It moved aggressively.

The most dramatic decision came during Tinubu's inauguration speech, when he announced that the petroleum subsidy was gone.

The decision shocked Nigerians.

Fuel prices rose sharply.

Transportation costs followed.

Businesses that depended heavily on petrol and diesel faced higher operating expenses.

But the government argued that continuing to subsidise petrol at the previous level was financially unsustainable.

The Fuel Subsidy Decision Changed Nigeria

For years, Nigeria had spent enormous sums supporting petrol prices.

The subsidy was politically popular because it kept fuel relatively cheap.

But it also consumed public resources.

Tinubu's government argued that money being spent subsidising consumption could instead be redirected toward infrastructure, social programmes and other areas of national development.

The problem was immediate.

Removing the subsidy transferred much of the cost directly to consumers.

That is why the policy remains one of the most controversial decisions of the Tinubu presidency.

Supporters call it necessary reform.

Critics call it a policy that placed an excessive burden on ordinary Nigerians.

Both sides are looking at the same decision from very different perspectives.

Then Came the Naira Reforms

The administration also allowed the naira to trade more freely in the foreign-exchange market.

The goal was to reduce distortions, narrow the gap between official and parallel exchange rates and create a more transparent market.

But the naira lost significant value.

For ordinary Nigerians, currency depreciation has consequences.

Imported goods become more expensive.

Businesses that depend on imported raw materials face higher costs.

Foreign equipment becomes more expensive.

And household purchasing power falls.

The reforms have nevertheless attracted investor attention and helped change the structure of Nigeria's foreign-exchange market.

This is where the Tinubu debate becomes complicated.

A policy can be economically significant while still being painful for citizens.

Investors See Some Positive Changes

One of the strongest arguments in favour of the administration is that some investors have responded positively to the reforms.

Reuters reported that Tinubu's aggressive economic changes have improved investor confidence and contributed to stronger capital inflows and a booming Nigerian stock market, even as ordinary Nigerians continue to struggle with high living costs.

That creates an unusual situation.

Financial markets can be improving while households are still under pressure.

Why?

Because investors are looking at long-term profitability, currency reforms, government finances and economic stability.

Families are looking at the price of food.

They are looking at transport fares.

They are looking at rent.

They are looking at electricity bills.

Both perspectives matter.

The Cost-of-Living Crisis Cannot Be Ignored

This is the biggest challenge to Morka's claim.

Nigeria has experienced severe cost-of-living pressure during Tinubu's presidency.

Reuters reported in August that millions of Nigerians were still struggling with the effects of the reforms, with food and fuel prices dramatically higher than before.

The removal of fuel subsidies and the naira's depreciation contributed to higher costs across the economy.

A Nigerian who earns more naira today does not necessarily feel richer if food, transportation and other essentials have risen faster than income.

That is the central political challenge facing the administration.

The Government Says Things Are Improving

The Tinubu administration argues that the painful adjustment period is beginning to produce stronger fundamentals.

Government revenues have improved.

Foreign-exchange conditions have changed.

Investment interest has increased.

The government has also highlighted reforms designed to strengthen tax collection, attract investment and make the economy more productive.

The presidency has repeatedly argued that Tinubu's reforms should be judged over the long term rather than by the immediate hardship they created.

The administration's supporters therefore see the current period as a transition.

Their argument is:

Nigeria is paying the price for fixing problems that were allowed to grow for years.

But Nigerians Want Results Now

That argument has one major weakness.

People cannot eat economic projections.

They cannot pay transport fares with promises of future prosperity.

A family struggling to buy food today wants relief today.

That explains why public opinion remains divided.

Reuters reported that economic hardship and insecurity remain among the biggest concerns for Nigerian voters as the country moves toward the next presidential election.

That means the administration has a difficult task.

It must convince Nigerians that today's sacrifices will eventually produce a better country.

Security Remains Another Major Test

Economic performance is only one measure of presidential success.

Security is another.

Nigeria continues to face terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence in different parts of the country.

The problem has remained serious during Tinubu's presidency.

A mass kidnapping in Niger State in August, involving hundreds of people according to preliminary reports, once again highlighted the scale of the security challenge.

Tinubu ordered security agencies to launch a rescue operation following the attack.

But the incident also demonstrated why Nigerians continue to rank security among their most important concerns.

If an administration wants to claim unprecedented performance, security must form part of the comparison.

Tinubu's Supporters Point to Infrastructure

Another part of the government's defence involves infrastructure.

The administration has highlighted road projects, transport initiatives, housing, power-sector reforms and other development programmes.

The government also points to major projects that it believes will improve economic productivity over time.

These projects may not immediately change household incomes.

But infrastructure can have long-term effects.

A functioning road can reduce transportation costs.

A reliable electricity system can lower business expenses.

Better rail connections can improve movement of people and goods.

The challenge is ensuring that projects are completed, maintained and actually deliver measurable benefits.

The Tax Reform Agenda

Tinubu has also pursued major tax reforms.

The administration's argument is that Nigeria cannot continue depending excessively on oil revenue.

The country needs a broader and more efficient tax system.

A stronger tax base can give government more predictable revenue.

But tax reform is politically sensitive.

Businesses fear higher operating costs.

Individuals worry about additional financial pressure.

The government must therefore demonstrate that improved taxation is accompanied by better public services.

Citizens are more likely to accept taxes when they can see where the money goes.

Tinubu's Biggest Political Advantage

One of Tinubu's strongest advantages is his ability to build political alliances.

Since the beginning of his administration, the APC has expanded its political influence across Nigeria.

Recent reporting indicates that the governing party has gained the allegiance of governors and politicians who previously belonged to opposition parties.

That gives Tinubu significant political strength heading toward the 2027 election.

But political dominance is not the same as public approval.

A government can control a large political structure while still facing dissatisfaction among ordinary voters.

The economy will ultimately determine whether that political strength translates into electoral success.

Can Tinubu Really Be Compared With Every President?

This is where Morka's statement requires caution.

Nigeria's elected presidents operated under very different circumstances.

Olusegun Obasanjo governed after years of military rule and debt problems.

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua inherited a different economic environment and dealt with major security issues, including the Niger Delta crisis.

Goodluck Jonathan governed during a period of relatively strong oil revenues but also faced major security challenges.

Muhammadu Buhari inherited falling oil prices, recession and a major insurgency challenge.

Tinubu inherited his own unique combination of problems.

Comparing all these administrations using one simple score is therefore difficult.

There is no universally accepted measurement that proves one president has definitively outperformed every other elected president.

Morka's statement is therefore best understood as the APC's political assessment, not an established objective ranking.

The 2027 Election Will Be the Real Test

Perhaps the most important evaluation will come from voters.

Nigeria is now entering another presidential election cycle.

Tinubu is seeking another term.

His campaign will inevitably revolve around his record.

The APC will argue that the administration took difficult decisions and is rebuilding the economy.

Opposition parties will argue that Nigerians have suffered too much under those same policies.

The election will therefore become a referendum on competing interpretations of Tinubu's presidency.

What Will Voters Ask?

Ordinary Nigerians are likely to ask simple questions.

Is food becoming more affordable?

Is petrol more affordable?

Can I find work?

Can I run my business?

Is electricity improving?

Is the naira more stable?

Is my community safer?

Can my children get a good education?

These questions may ultimately matter more than macroeconomic statistics.

Because economic reforms are only successful when they eventually improve people's lives.

The Tinubu Record Is Still Being Written

There is another important point.

Tinubu has not yet completed his presidency.

That makes any final historical judgment premature.

A president can begin badly and finish strongly.

A president can also begin with popular reforms and later lose momentum.

The next few years will therefore be critical.

If the reforms produce stronger economic growth, lower inflation, greater purchasing power, better jobs and improved security, Tinubu's historical reputation could change significantly.

If hardship persists, critics will argue that the reforms were too costly.

What Would Prove Morka Right?

For the APC's claim to become more convincing, Nigerians would need to see several measurable improvements.

First: sustained reduction in inflation.

Second: stronger household purchasing power.

Third: a more stable naira.

Fourth: increased employment.

Fifth: improved security.

Sixth: reliable electricity and infrastructure.

Seventh: stronger government institutions and accountability.

If those improvements become visible across the country, the argument that Tinubu fundamentally changed Nigeria's trajectory will become much stronger.

What Could Undermine the Claim?

The opposite is equally true.

Persistent inflation would weaken the argument.

Continued insecurity would weaken it.

Rising unemployment would weaken it.

Corruption scandals would weaken it.

And if Nigerians continue experiencing falling living standards despite improving macroeconomic indicators, critics will argue that the reforms are benefiting investors more than ordinary citizens.

That is already one of the main criticisms of the administration.

Nigeria's Economy Is at a Turning Point

The country is effectively conducting a huge economic experiment.

The government has chosen aggressive reforms rather than gradual adjustment.

That creates enormous risks.

But it also creates the possibility of major transformation.

If successful, the reforms could strengthen Nigeria's fiscal position and create a more stable foundation for growth.

If unsuccessful, the social and political consequences could be severe.

That is why the Tinubu presidency is being watched so closely.

The Bottom Line

APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka has declared that President Bola Tinubu has outperformed every democratically elected president in Nigeria, arguing that the evidence can be seen in the economic reforms and conditions the administration inherited.

But that statement remains a political claim, not an independently established ranking.

There are genuine achievements supporters can point to, including major economic reforms, increased investor confidence and changes to Nigeria's fiscal and foreign-exchange structure.

At the same time, Nigerians continue to face severe cost-of-living pressures, while insecurity remains a major national concern.

That means the debate over Tinubu's record is far from settled.

The president's supporters see a leader willing to make difficult decisions that previous governments avoided.

His critics see reforms that have imposed enormous costs on ordinary citizens without yet delivering enough relief.

The truth may ultimately depend on what happens next.

If the reforms eventually produce jobs, lower inflation, stronger purchasing power, better security and sustainable growth, Tinubu could indeed be remembered as one of Nigeria's most consequential presidents.

But history will not be written by one APC spokesman.

It will be written by the results Nigerians experience — and by the judgment voters ultimately make.

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