Former senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce, has formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic and reform agenda.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, the media mogul and founder of the Silverbird Group said his decision was driven by a desire for progress rather than politics, describing Tinubu as a leader with a firm grasp of Nigeria’s economic realities.
“I have known President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu since 1998. I know the man’s mind, his courage, and his conviction. He is not driven by applause, he is driven by results. And today, I can boldly say to you that he is on the right track. For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a President who truly understands finance, who sees the economy not as a political slogan, but as a living organism that must be disciplined, deregulated, and allowed to breathe,” he said.
Announcing his defection, Murray-Bruce explained that his alignment with the APC stemmed from his belief in the president’s “courageous and intellectual” leadership.
“That is why today, I am joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), not for politics, but for progress. Because I believe that Bola Tinubu’s leadership, guided by courage and intellect, will deliver the Nigeria we have all dreamed of,” he wrote.
The former senator expressed optimism that Tinubu’s administration would transform Nigeria’s economy and restore its global reputation.
“I choose to stand with that vision. I choose to stand with reform. I choose to stand with the future,” he added.
ALSO READ:
He further praised the administration’s policy direction, especially in economic and security reforms, which he said were creating the foundation for sustainable growth.
“For the first time in our nation’s history, we have a President who truly understands finance, who sees the economy not as a political slogan, but as a living organism that must be disciplined, deregulated, and allowed to breathe,” he reiterated.
Murray-Bruce also commended the Federal Government’s fiscal and monetary decisions, highlighting the deregulation of the petroleum market and the restructuring of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as critical steps toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening the naira.
“The painful reforms we face today are the very foundation of tomorrow’s prosperity. We are moving into a free-market economy that rewards hard work and innovation instead of dependency and distortion,” he stated.
He noted that the government’s focus on infrastructure—spanning roads, ports, airports, and housing—was a sign of renewed national commitment under Tinubu.
“I know it is still a difficult season for many families. But as history teaches, reform is never painless. Yet, it is in these moments of sacrifice that nations are reborn,” he said.
Murray-Bruce has in recent months publicly aligned with several of the administration’s economic policies. In May 2025, he hailed Tinubu’s approval of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, calling it “proof of the transformative power of visionary leadership by President Bola Tinubu.”
Ripples Nigeria
