An automatic ticket had never looked so promising for President Bola Tinubu as it did last Thursday. That afternoon at the State House Banquet Hall, APC governors, leaders of the 10th National Assembly, and the party’s National Working Committee aligned like stars. Together, they proclaimed Tinubu emperor. No, I meant the sole presidential candidate for 2027.

Couple that spectacle with the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party into the APC, and you could argue that the broom-wielding party is riding its strongest arc since it first clinched the presidency 10 years ago.

In February, the party’s National Executive Committee passed a vote of confidence, urging Tinubu on with his reforms.

But Thursday was different. The president had this to say: “I’m glad about what we have, and I’m expecting more to come. That is the game. We’re in a constitutional democracy; don’t forget that the freedom of movement and association is not criminally punishable. Welcome to the progressives. Sweep them clean… It’s the party of your choice, broom is the symbol. Sweep the dirt away.”

The hall rang with thunderous applause. Then he continued, “At that particular time, I became addicted to reading all the criticism and watching more television to see their comments. Those selfish elites today must salute the courage of every one of you, salute Nigerians for their perseverance, their patience, their resiliency. Thanks to our brothers who stood firmly, believing in us. They fought us with everything at their disposal, but we are on.

“Thank you very much to all of you. The hoarded foods are back in the market; they created artificial scarcity, and they thought we must reverse the decision. They thought we were going to fall apart. They believed this political party is a failure. No, I say. With your support, determination, and resilience, you believe in our democracy.

“You must persevere, not because I say so, but because it is correct. It is not the easy way out, to bankrupt the nation and leave our house to fall apart, our roads disintegrated. It’s a shame if today there are communities without potable water. It is a shame that self-serving elites will not think about out-of-school children.”

More applause followed, akin to the ovation British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain received in September 1938, when he returned from meeting Adolf Hitler and proclaimed, “Peace for our time.” History, of course, proved him wrong 11 months later.

So, Mr President, while you bask in the adulation of your admirers, remember that the crowd that applauded you at the Villa was a privileged sample under the same roof with you.

If you fixate on that sample alone, you risk missing the hushed feedback from the markets, villages and living rooms.

Those who drafted your glowing scorecard are not the same as the taxi drivers, market women and smallholder farmers who judge your stewardship by everyday realities.

Your loudest ‘Well done’ will not come from party loyalists, but from the millions whose lives depend on the roads you’re building, on steady electricity for their children’s homework, and on food prices that don’t outpace their wages.

Mr President, you must keep your ears open for the feedback of those too busy earning a living and too “unpolished” for party politics.

It is worth noting that you recently repaid Nigeria’s $3.4bn emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund, originally drawn in April 2020 under the Rapid Financing Instrument.

Nigeria also posted a $6.83bn balance-of-payments surplus in 2024, thanks to subsidy removals, liberalising the naira and booming non-oil exports, while foreign exchange reserves swelled by $6 billion.

We hope and pray that you stay true to your own words: “In every constitution, the preface is ‘we the people’, and you are the people. I listen to you, not to them.” As you mark your second year in office, let the people’s voice be the wind behind your sails.

Earlier that day, the President met with the newly appointed board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. At the meeting, he urged them to consolidate the gains of the ongoing economic reforms, which have attracted commendations for the resilience and competitiveness of the Nigerian economy.

“When I started searching, it took a while to come up with the kind of character that you represent. You represent the best in the industry, and I have set goals for you.

“You have the reputation, resourcefulness and experience to help the country. It is a call to duty for you.

“I believe you are among the best the industry can offer,” he said.

President Tinubu noted that the ongoing economic reforms have yielded results, with both local and international acknowledgements.

“Nigeria has come of age. It is now more competitive and turning the corner, and with your highly respected team, I can relax and attend to other issues. Thank you for accepting the opportunity to serve your country and our dear country,” he told the team.

The Punch