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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said consistency in the implementation of economic reforms has stabilized the economy, ushering Nigeria into its golden era, poised to enjoy the benefits of democracy.
President Tinubu, who received a delegation of stakeholders from the north-eastern area of the country led by Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, governor of Borno State, attributed the success of the reforms to strong support from subnationals.
The delegation included Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, Shehu of Borno, HRH Umar Garbai Al-Kanemi, Aku Uka of Wukari, HRM Dr Manu Ishaku Matakhitswen, Emir of Fika, HRH Alhaji Dr Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa and Emir of Gombe, HRH Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar.
Other members of the delegation were the Vice President-elect in the 1993 elections, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Ministers; Senators; Members of the House of Representatives; and former service chiefs from the North East.
President Tinubu urged governors to do more to consolidate the benefits of economic reforms and ensure that Nigerians fully understand the growth trajectory, as well as participate equally in the process and share in the harvest.
“The economy is already stabilized. To many of the governors here, I want to say thank you very much and I want to charge you to do more. The golden era has come now. Nigerians are not asking for too much: simple stability, social welfare,” he said.
The President stressed the need for stakeholders in the North East to sustain unity in the fight against terrorism and banditry, as well as promote socio-economic development in the region.
“I could see the leadership of the North East challenged due to terrorism and banditry. I could see our collaboration. Let us work together, stand together, think together and face challenges as best we can as a united country.
“Among today’s visitors are some pensioners. I hope you will receive your pensions if you are affiliated with the government. If I may get political, some of my potential opponents; they have privatized government investments in public institutions. But they forget to pay the pensioners; now I am sorting out the pensions, fixing the mess they have created.
“I promise you that despite the twists and turns of this democracy, Nigeria will survive and we will find our unity in diversity, a good path to democratic stability and prosperity in the country. I promise you that we will do our best,” the President said.
President Tinubu thanked the leaders and elders of the region, especially the traditional rulers who he described as leaders of conscience, and especially the Shehu of Borno HRH Umar Garbai Al-Kanemi, who he consulted in the run-up to his presidential quest, as well as Babagana Kingibe.
“Excellencies, allow me to recognize Babagana Kingibe, my leader and mentor who helped me cut my teeth politically as the first national president of the Social Democratic Party,” the president said.
The leader of the delegation, Professor Zulum, said stakeholders from the North East were at the State House for a thank you visit to Mr President for renominating Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
Zulum also reaffirmed his commitment to the success of the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.
“We will continue to support your government’s programs and policies. We will continue to mobilize our people to engage with the Agenda of Renewed Hope from the grassroots. We are thrilled that in 2027, the North East will hand over your ticket and all other APC candidates at all levels en masse,” he said.
Governor Zulum also lauded President Tinubu’s infrastructural development in the region and rehabilitation of IDPs, assuring the continued support of the regional president to his administration.
“We wish to acknowledge and express our deep appreciation to your administration for the commencement of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Expressway, among other strategic road projects in the North Eastern Region, which will positively impact the safety of lives and properties of our people,” he said.
In his remarks, Ambassador Kingibe acknowledged the President’s leadership, vision and commitment to bring about the necessary economic reforms, reaffirming his commitment to support the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket in the upcoming 2027 elections to consolidate economic gains.
“We are here to reaffirm and recommit ourselves to be his partner to ensure that his efforts continue. As our leader, the governor of Borno State said, for the next five years, we will not be the active politicians that you see every day on screens or in the media, but we are there with our people; we lead them.
“We explain to them what the implications of government policies are and what the alternatives would be. We are there to give legitimacy because our people trust us, our people believe in us. And they know that wherever we are, that’s where the truth and hope are.
“Mr President, we are with you, we are with your administration, and by the grace of God, you will continue where we left off in 1993 and bring hope to our great homeland,” he said.
