The Continuous Human Empowerment Initiative, Inclusive Support for Tinubu (CHEI-IST), has declared its support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, urging Nigerians to be patient with the economic reforms of the administration.
The National Coordinator of the organisation, Dr. Akor Goodluck Michael, made the call during a media chat with members of the Association of Online Editors (ACOE) in Abuja.
Michael, who described CHEI-IST as a non-political empowerment initiative, said some of the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration required time before their full impact could be felt by Nigerians.
He acknowledged the economic difficulties currently confronting citizens but argued that the government had taken steps which, if sustained, could produce positive results in the long term.
According to him, the administration has recorded improvements in areas including infrastructure, workers’ salaries and security.
Using a medical analogy, the physician compared Nigeria’s economic situation to that of a patient suffering from multiple fractures, stressing that recovery could not be expected immediately after such a patient was taken to hospital.
“The mistake we would make is for a man with multiple fractures to believe that immediately he gets to the emergency, he will be well,” he said.
Michael said economic reforms should therefore be assessed over time, rather than judged solely by the immediate challenges being experienced by citizens.
He explained that CHEI-IST had become involved in civic engagement because of the relationship between political leadership, economic conditions and the organisation’s programmes in healthcare, agriculture, youth development and skills acquisition.
“Our organisation has been involved in medical outreaches and empowerment programmes across the country and we believe that creating an environment where citizens could access opportunities was essential to national development,” he said.
On healthcare, the Medical doctor called for greater investment in existing primary healthcare facilities, rather than focusing mainly on the construction of new centres.
He said many primary healthcare centres across the country lacked adequate equipment, personnel, training and effective management, making it difficult for them to provide quality services.
“We must call a spade a spade. We must take responsibility,” he said, stressing the need for government to properly equip and staff healthcare facilities.
Michael also expressed concern over the migration of Nigerian doctors and other professionals abroad, popularly known as “Japa,” saying improved working conditions and better facilities could encourage more professionals to return.
He advocated financing opportunities for medical professionals, including government-backed funding mechanisms that could enable doctors to establish private medical facilities and create better employment opportunities.
On local government administration, the CHEI-IST coordinator backed greater autonomy for Local Councils, arguing that Local Governments were closest to the people and should have sufficient authority and resources to address grassroots challenges.
He said effective local government administration could accelerate development at the grassroots and contribute to national development.
Michael further said the organisation’s empowerment programmes were designed to provide beneficiaries with sustainable means of livelihood rather than relying mainly on temporary assistance or political handouts.
He said CHEI-IST would continue to engage communities through empowerment, education and civic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process, protect their votes and make their political choices based on their assessment of candidates and their policies.
The group expressed optimism that sustained reforms, improved governance and greater citizen participation would enable Nigeria to overcome its current challenges and achieve greater prosperity.
