Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has criticised Nigerians who believe the country has not made progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, suggesting that they need what she described as “Bola Tinubu eyeglasses” to see the changes taking place.
The First Lady made the remark on Friday while inaugurating the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a grassroots group mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
According to Naija News, Mrs Tinubu said some Nigerians appeared unable to recognise the changes taking place in the country under her husband’s administration.
“So things are happening in Nigeria, except, you know, those who don’t see; maybe we’ll give them some, you know, Bola Tinubu eyeglasses. We are doing that, JigiBola,” she said.
Remi Tinubu References Jigi-Bola Eye-Care Programme
The First Lady’s reference to “Bola Tinubu eyeglasses” recalls the Jigi-Bola eye-care programme introduced by Tinubu in 2001 when he was governor of Lagos State.
The initiative provided eye-care services, including free eye screenings, eyeglasses and surgery. The Lagos State Government relaunched the programme in 2021.
Mrs Tinubu used the reference while expressing her view that Nigerians should recognise the changes she believes are taking place under the current administration.
Her remarks come amid continuing public debate over the administration’s performance and the country’s economic and political direction.
Remi Tinubu Highlights Changes at Nigerian Airports
The First Lady also pointed to developments at Nigerian airports as evidence of progress, saying she wanted to travel more quickly.
“I want to get to the airport. I want to travel, you know, so quickly. And you can see our airports too are changing,” she said.
Her comments highlighted improvements she believes are taking place in the country’s aviation infrastructure.
However, the remarks are likely to attract differing reactions from Nigerians, particularly those who have expressed concerns about the country’s economic conditions and the overall impact of government policies.
First Lady Looks Ahead to Leaving Aso Rock in 2031
Mrs Tinubu also spoke about her expectations for Nigeria after her husband’s current presidential term, expressing hope that she would leave the Presidential Villa in 2031 and enjoy a better country in her seventies.
“I want to leave Aso Rock, in 2031, by the grace of God, and enter a Nigeria that me as a 70-something-year-old woman will enjoy,” she said.
Her statement points to her expectation of leaving the Presidential Villa in 2031, following the conclusion of the current presidential term, subject to the political and electoral circumstances at the time.
Remi Tinubu Commissions PBAT Door-to-Door Movement Headquarters
The First Lady formally commissioned the Abuja headquarters of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement during the event.
The group is mobilising grassroots support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Declaring the headquarters open, Mrs Tinubu expressed her support for the President’s re-election campaign.
“So to the glory of God, and for the victory of Mr President come 2027, I hereby formally commission the PBAT door-to-door movement campaign headquarters Abuja,” she said.
She also declared her support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the movement’s convener, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The inauguration comes as political activities and mobilisation efforts continue ahead of the 2027 general election.