The Association of Yoruba Obas and Leaders in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has declared its total support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration while urgently appealing for intensified measures to cushion the impact of economic hardships at the grassroots level.

Rising from its quarterly meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the association acknowledged the necessity of ongoing economic reforms but stressed that immediate, practical relief must reach ordinary Nigerians.

Addressing journalists after the session, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Murtala Adeleke, urged the Federal Government to bridge the gap between macroeconomic reforms and the daily realities of citizens.

"We understand that economic reforms require endurance, but we plead that the government do more to bring the dividends of democracy closer to people at the grassroots," Adeleke stated. "We wish to encourage the government to do more, particularly in the area of poverty alleviation."

The group also expressed concerns over the performance of local government councils. Adeleke noted that despite the recent implementation of financial autonomy, local administrations across the country are yet to fully step up and deliver on their statutory mandates to the people.

Despite highlighting the pervasive poverty, the northern-based Yoruba leaders passed a vote of confidence on the President, citing tangible improvements in key sectors including security, education, energy, and the capital market over the past three years.

Describing insecurity as a major challenge in the North, the group praised the administration`s quiet successes. Adeleke cited recent successful rescue operations of banditry victims in Kwara, Niger, and Borno states. He also commended the welfare boost for security personnel and the creation of new military formations.

The association lauded the government’s student loan and financing initiatives, noting they have opened university doors for low-income families. They also credited the administration with maintaining stable academic calendars by curbing prolonged strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The traditional and community leaders highlighted the elimination of fuel scarcity in the North. Adeleke recalled that residents previously bought black-market fuel for as high as N2,500 per litre. "Since the coming of this government, we in the North have been enjoying steady fuel supply in all our stations. You just drive in, buy, and go," he said.

The group highlighted massive growth in the nation`s capital market, pointing out that market capitalization had leaped from roughly N33 trillion in 2023 to a robust N160 trillion–N170 trillion range currently.

The association concluded by reaffirming that its backing is firmly rooted in a realistic assessment of the administration`s performance, while remaining an active voice for the welfare of citizens in the North.