Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has acknowledged the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, admitting that the Federal Government's economic reforms have placed considerable pressure on households.

Gbajabiamila, however, defended the administration's policies, arguing that Tinubu chose to confront longstanding economic challenges rather than avoid difficult decisions for political convenience.

He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the unveiling of the administration's 2027–2031 electoral roadmap, titled *From Reforms to Prosperity Agenda*.

The Chief of Staff said the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market were deliberate measures aimed at correcting structural weaknesses in the economy and securing its long-term stability.

Acknowledging the immediate impact of the policies on citizens, he said the government must be honest about the difficulties Nigerians are experiencing.

“Now, those decisions have placed real pressure on households. We must speak honestly about that experience because the people living through it deserve to be heard. And nobody should have to pretend that life is easy at the moment,” he said.

Gbajabiamila argued that Tinubu could have maintained the existing economic arrangements to avoid public criticism but instead opted for decisions he considered necessary for the country's future.

“If he came in as a politician and decided to govern as a politician, he would have continued on the cruise, on the path that we were taking.

“But instead, knowing full well the immediate consequences, he decided he would govern as a leader,” he added.

He said the success of the reforms would ultimately be measured by their ability to improve the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians and create opportunities for economic advancement.

Describing the newly unveiled electoral roadmap as a reflection of Tinubu's political philosophy, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives said the administration's vision was to build an economy where hard work guarantees a decent livelihood and every citizen has a fair opportunity to succeed.

He described a manifesto as a social contract between the people and their elected leader, stressing that the government's policies should provide Nigerians with opportunities to benefit from national development.

Gbajabiamila also highlighted interventions in human capital development, social protection, taxation and electricity, citing initiatives such as N-Power and the student loan scheme as measures designed to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.

On taxation, he said the administration's reforms were intended to promote fairness by reducing the burden on low-income earners and qualifying small businesses.

He also identified the Electricity Act, which allows states to establish and regulate their electricity markets, as a major step towards attracting investment and improving power supply.

The Chief of Staff urged members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defend the administration's record and engage Nigerians directly on its policies and achievements ahead of the 2027 general election.

He maintained that the ruling party must be prepared to justify its request for another mandate through its performance rather than political rhetoric.

“The party asking to continue in government must be prepared to answer the people whose mandate it seeks.

“We must earn support through the quality of work, through the quality of our case and the seriousness of our conduct,” he said.

Gbajabiamila said the 2027 election would provide Nigerians with an opportunity to decide whether to sustain the administration's reform agenda or embrace alternative approaches to governance.