By Eneojo Herbert Idakwo
The Youth House in Abuja was modest in setting but heavy with political intent on Thursday as Honourable David Idris Zacharias stepped into a new national role that places him at the heart of the pro-Tinubu grassroots machinery. Formally inaugurated as National Coordinator of All State Coordinators and Kogi State Coordinator of the Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria support group, the lawmaker representing Idah Federal Constituency now carries a dual mandate that stretches from Abuja’s political core to Nigeria’s most remote communities.The appointment is more than ceremonial. It reflects a calculated effort by pro-government forces to sharpen message delivery at a time when economic reforms, though far-reaching, have tested public patience and trust.A Support Group with Political WeightRTIFN is not a fringe mobilisation platform. Its leadership structure alone signals its strategic value. Barrister Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, serves as Founder-in-Chief. The group’s National Chairman is Comrade Bala Mohammed, a seasoned organiser. Senator Alphonsus Igbeke acts as Patron, while Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu CON, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, is Matron.This blend of political pedigree, organisational experience, and access to power gives the group unusual reach. Analysts describe RTIFN as part of a broader effort to move the Renewed Hope narrative beyond press releases and policy documents into local languages, town halls, markets, and motor parks.Zacharias and the Politics of Ground-Level TrustIn his acceptance speech, Zacharias framed his role in practical terms. He positioned himself as a translator of policy, not just a promoter of personalities.“Our mandate is clear,” he told the audience. “To enlighten our people from the urban centres to the remotest villages that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fixing Nigeria, in the language the grassroots understands.”For Zacharias, this is familiar terrain. Known within Kogi State as a grassroots organiser, his political rise has been closely tied to constituency-level engagement rather than elite bargaining. Supporters say this background makes him a logical choice for a role that depends less on rhetoric and more on trust.Defending Reforms in a Difficult MomentCentral to Zacharias’s message was a defence of the Tinubu administration’s reform agenda. He cited financial sector restructuring, infrastructure renewal, and economic recalibration as evidence of what he called “verifiable achievements.”Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu has pushed through some of the most consequential economic reforms in Nigeria’s recent history. These include the removal of petrol subsidies, the unification of foreign exchange windows, renewed attention to domestic refining, and a recalibrated approach to fiscal federalism. While economists have largely welcomed the reforms as necessary corrections, their short-term effects have included inflationary pressure and rising living costs.Zacharias did not shy away from this reality. Instead, he leaned into it.“The President’s policies, though initially challenging, are designed for the long-term health of our nation,” he said. “From reforms in the oil sector to food security, we are laying a new foundation.”This framing mirrors the administration’s own messaging, which emphasises sacrifice now for stability later.Endorsements from the Inner CircleDr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu CON, who presided over the inauguration on behalf of Barrister Seyi Tinubu, described Zacharias as a “grassroots mobiliser of unparalleled repute,” expressing confidence in his ability to align state coordinators behind a common narrative.Senator Alphonsus Igbeke reinforced this confidence, urging the new national leadership to “swing into action.” He pointed to signs of economic adjustment, including recent moderation in food prices in some markets, as early indicators that reform shocks may be easing.Such claims remain contested across regions, but their repetition underscores the group’s mission: to emphasise progress where it exists and argue for patience where it does not.Politics, Narrative, and the Road AheadBeyond the speeches, the inauguration reflects a deeper political calculation. With future electoral contests in view, the Tinubu camp appears determined to avoid a communication gap between policy action and public perception. Support groups like RTIFN are designed to occupy that space, countering misinformation while reinforcing loyalty.Political observers note that Zacharias’s national coordinating role gives him influence over how the Renewed Hope agenda is framed at state and local levels. If effective, it could help stabilise support in regions where economic hardship has fueled scepticism.A Call for UnityIn his closing remarks, Zacharias struck a unifying tone, urging Nigerians to look beyond immediate hardship and engage with what he described as a long-term nation-building project.He called on citizens, regardless of party or region, to support efforts aimed at building “a more prosperous Nigeria.”Whether RTIFN succeeds in reshaping public sentiment will depend less on slogans than on lived experience. For now, Zacharias’s inauguration marks a clear statement of intent: the battle for public confidence will be fought, deliberately, at the grassroots.
