Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has said President Bola Tinubu deserves a second term in office, describing him as the most courageous leader Nigeria has ever had.
Okiro made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Ibadan over the weekend, noting that President Tinubu assumed office at a time of serious national challenges and has been addressing them steadily.
The former police chief was in Ibadan to endorse Tinubu for a second term and to inaugurate a support group, Grassroots Mobilisation for Tinubu (GMT).
He said the President’s policies across various sectors are already yielding results following tough but necessary decisions, adding that Nigeria would be in a much better place by the end of Tinubu’s tenure.
According to Okiro, Tinubu’s track record as governor of Lagos State clearly demonstrates his leadership capacity and offers insight into what Nigerians should expect after eight years in office.
“The legacies he left behind in Lagos are still visible today. As President, he has been governing with courage. No president in Nigeria has been this bold in taking critical decisions,” he said.
He pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy and other major policy reforms, acknowledging that they were initially difficult for Nigerians but insisted they are now beginning to produce positive outcomes.
“Nigerians should be patient and continue to support him for a second term. I am confident that by the end of his second tenure, Nigeria will be where it ought to be,” Okiro added.
On insecurity, the former IGP expressed optimism that the situation would soon improve, commending the President for efforts made so far to address security challenges nationwide.
Okiro, who served as Inspector-General of Police from 2007 to 2009, highlighted the significant improvements recorded in Lagos State’s security architecture during Tinubu’s time as governor.
“I worked with Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos State, and I can confidently say that his security framework laid the foundation for the relative peace Lagos enjoys today,” he said.
He described insecurity as a threat that affects everyone regardless of status and urged Nigerians to acknowledge the progress made so far.
“With sustained efforts, insecurity will soon be reduced to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminated,” he said.
Okiro, who holds the traditional title of Maradin Hausawa of Ibadanland, also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Sarkin Sasa in Ibadan.
Members of his entourage included the National Coordinator of the Northern Youth and Elders Awareness Forum, Alhaji Mahmud Sani Yerima; North-West Zone Coordinator, Umar Sani Nalema; Alhaji Isa Bawa Isa; Alhaji Muhammad Shehu; and Alhaji Abdullahi Ahmad.
