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“Let me take the abuse”, you take the privileges, Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of, I will drive the change, Tinubu tells governors
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Autonomy drive not to take councils away from states
NGF aligns with President’s leadership for progress
Governors are critical to food security and prosperity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.
He reminded them that their leadership at the subnational level is central to achieving rapid national growth.
He expressed gratitude for their collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort.
The President spoke when Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) paid him a New Year homage at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence.
“You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development.
“The Federal Government accounts for about 30 to 35 per cent of the allocated revenue; the rest comes to you.
“The agricultural value chain depends on you.
“You own the land, and the job is in your hands,” President Tinubu said.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu stressed the importance of unity and shared responsibility in driving grassroots development.
He assured the governors there was no intention to undermine their control over local governments.
He urged them to focus on delivering transformative governance at the grassroots, noting that effective local governance was crucial to restoring hope and improving lives.
Quashing rumours of a rift over local government autonomy, President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to fostering a partnership that prioritises the welfare of the people and strengthens democratic institutions.
He said: “We will not fight within us. I will drive the change.
“You control your local governments. You can restore hope by effectively fulfilling what the people expect at the grassroots level.
“There were gossips that we had disagreements on local government autonomy. No. Just drive development at the local government.
“Nobody wants to take them away from you, but we need collaboration. Let’s do it together and ensure Nigeria is better off for it.”
Calling for stronger collaboration, the President added: “We have to work harder, grow more, and ensure the situation of our currency improves.
“Nigeria will see prosperity, but it requires consistent effort from all of us.”
He also urged the governors to take pride in their efforts.
“There is no state we visit and not be proud of its development. We have better allocations now.
“Let me take the abuse; you take the privileges. Together, we will build a nation we are all proud of,” he said.
Reflecting on his leadership journey in the last 19 months, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to thrive.
“I am glad I asked for this job, and Nigerians gave me the mandate. We’ll be on this voyage together.
“I thank all of you for where we are today and where we are heading,” he said.
The President announced that he will visit Enugu on January 4.
President Tinubu welcomed his declaration by ThisDay as Man of the Year.
Activist to Tinubu: prioritise welfare
According to him, “what they considered a failure initially is now a success.”
NGF chairman/Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazak described ThisDay’s decision as a significant endorsement of the administration’s policies.
He noted that the acknowledgement from a newspaper known for critical media coverage reflects the tangible progress made.
“The policies are working. In agriculture, I was in Jigawa. The complaint in Jigawa was that there was a bumper harvest, but because of the strength of our currency, traders exported the harvest.
“So, most of us are encouraging ourselves to buy bumper stocks into our silos, store them for the rainy day.
“So, in terms of agriculture, the policy is working. We’ll continue to deepen that and ensure we are 100 per cent sustained in food security and feed the whole of West Africa,” he said.
The governor urged the President to visit states to see the ongoing transformations firsthand.
He assured the President of the steadfast support of the governors, particularly in contributing to local security architecture to further enhance the nation’s security.
“I must confess that I have not done two years in this administration, but I’ve done more projects in two years than in the four years of my first term”, AbdulRazaq said.
“We are getting more funding due to the restructuring of the economy. Yes, there is inflation, but we are overriding it.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the state helmsmen’s resolve to support the President’s leadership and vision.
He said they appreciate President Tinubu’s strong leadership and determination to transform the country.
Vice President Kashim Shettima assured Nigerians that the positive impact of the Tinubu Administration’s policies will begin to manifest in the coming weeks and months.
Speaking during the visit, Shettima expressed optimism about the nation’s economic trajectory and a brighter future for its citizens.
He noted that the economy is already showing signs of recovery.
He expressed confidence that 2025 will herald significant economic activity and improvement in the lives of citizens.
Shettima said: “The economy has started picking up, and in the coming weeks and months, Nigerians will start smiling for the better.
“We are working assiduously with the National Assembly to come up with robust solutions to our national challenges.
“No nation is immune to the economic headwinds across the world.
“The crisis in Ukraine and so many other global trends are affecting us adversely because we are part of the global community.
“But I want to assure Nigerians that the economy is turning the corner, by the grace of God, we have crossed the Rubicon and we are on a path to sustained growth.
“We wish Nigerians well.”
ROLL CALL OF GOVERNORS
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara); Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); Babagana Zulum (Borno); Monday Okpebholo (Edo); Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti): Peter Mbah (Enugu): Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa) and Ahmed Ododo (Kogi).
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Araraume Felicitates President Tinubu on his birthday. Hails his Reform Agenda and National Milestones
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Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising the President’s leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the direction of the country since he assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described President Tinubu as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that the President’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long term national development.
Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long‑standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.
He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.
Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long term vision for a more productive Nigeria.
The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programs aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.
On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised President Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognize the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”
He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”
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Araraume Salutes Tinubu’s Vision, Lists Key Achievements on Birthday
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his birthday, praising his leadership style and the series of reforms that have shaped the country’s direction since he assumed office.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Araraume described the President as “a courageous reformer whose decisions continue to redefine Nigeria’s economic and governance landscape.” He noted that Tinubu’s first year in office has been marked by bold policy choices aimed at stabilizing the economy and laying the groundwork for long-term national development.
Araraume highlighted the removal of the petrol subsidy as one of the most significant economic decisions in recent decades, saying it demonstrated the President’s willingness to confront long-standing structural challenges. According to him, the policy, though demanding, has redirected national resources toward infrastructure, social investment, and other critical sectors.
He also commended the administration’s unification of the foreign exchange market, describing it as a major step toward restoring investor confidence and strengthening Nigeria’s global competitiveness. The senator noted that the reforms have attracted renewed interest from international partners and signaled a commitment to transparent economic management.
Beyond economic restructuring, Araraume pointed to ongoing infrastructure expansion as evidence of the administration’s focus on national development. He cited the acceleration of key road projects, renewed efforts to expand rail connectivity, and the push to improve power generation and distribution as initiatives that reflect the President’s long-term vision for a more productive Nigeria.
The senator further acknowledged the government’s interventions in agriculture, including support for mechanization and targeted programmes aimed at boosting food security. He said these efforts are essential to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local production.
On the diplomatic front, Araraume praised Tinubu’s engagements across Africa and beyond, noting his role in strengthening regional cooperation within ECOWAS and advancing Nigeria’s interests on the global stage.
“As we celebrate this milestone, it is important to recognise the resilience and determination with which President Tinubu has approached the task of nation-building,” Araraume said. “His commitment to reforms, economic stability, and democratic governance continues to inspire confidence in Nigeria’s future.”
He wished the President good health, renewed strength, and continued wisdom as he leads the country through what he described as “a defining period in Nigeria’s history.”
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APC Convention: Party Eyes Consensus for National Leadership Selection
The All Progressives Congress has confirmed that it plans to adopt a consensus approach for selecting its national leadership during the party’s convention scheduled for March 27–28, 2026, in Abuja.
The Assistant Secretary for Media and Publicity for the APC National Convention 2026, Mary Ikoku, disclosed the plan during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.
On the issue of elective positions during primaries, Ikoku said the party had not yet decided how these would be handled, noting that decisions may vary depending on local political dynamics.
She explained, “APC, for this convention, I am aware and can say that the party is adopting consensus for this convention. As to whether they are adopting consensus for elective positions, I do not have an answer to that because politics is local.
“So, I believe that, at the end of the day, when it comes to the issue of elective positions, the persons who would emerge aren’t often what you would want to make consensus in every space.”
Ikoku also addressed the Electoral Act’s provisions, which require political parties to register members online within a specified timeframe and outline acceptable methods for candidate selection.
She said these requirements posed challenges for some parties but reflected preparedness—or the lack thereof.
“We have an electoral law that defines the models for these elections. Direct primaries and consensus have been allowed, while indirect primaries have been taken out.
“That is the current law of the nation, passed and assented to. Now, why do you think other political parties will have issues with that?” she asked.
“That would be to say there are levels of unpreparedness of these political parties. Any political party that is worth its salt should not wait till election season to start preparing for the run for office and all of these congresses.
“It is something they would have planned ahead of time. So, when you are not proactive as a party, these kinds of situations can challenge you deeply,” she added.
Ahead of the convention, the party began screening aspirants for key positions in its National Working Committee , including National Chairman aspirant Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary hopeful Ajibola Basiru.
Other NWC members seeking to retain their posts include National Youth Leader Dayo Israel, Deputy National Chairman (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, National Legal Adviser Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana, National Woman Leader Mary Alile Idele, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, among others.
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