From Victor Osula, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the country will not slip into a one-party state, despite the growing support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he attributed to the party’s notable achievements in less than two years in office.
Speaking on Thursday at the APC Renewed Hope Agenda Summit held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Tinubu reaffirmed citizens’ constitutional right to associate freely and choose between political options.
“A one-party system is not suitable for democracy. We are one party ruling and carrying on with the aspirations of Nigerians. You don’t expect people to remain in a sinking ship without a life jacket. I am happy with what we have accomplished and expecting more people to come; that’s the game. I thank every one of you. I am thoroughly inspired. We are just halfway through the journey that started 24 months ago,” Tinubu said.
The event, convened to assess the administration’s performance across key sectors, also witnessed the endorsement of President Tinubu for a second term by the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), comprising 22 APC governors, the party’s National Working Committee, National Assembly members, and other top party leaders.
Addressing party faithful, the President said his administration’s economic reforms had begun yielding results, with both local and international observers acknowledging the efforts to rebuild the economy. He commended the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly, and party leadership for their continued support.
“Together, we pledged to confront Nigeria’s challenges head-on by rebuilding trust, fostering prosperity, and restoring our nation’s economic quest. Today, I am proud to affirm that our economic reforms are working. Nothing good comes easy in life. All of you have been through life, and sometimes only hard decisions can make things easy in the future. We couldn’t afford to spend the future of our children and unborn babies.”
He added, “Through our Renewed Hope Agenda, our administration pledged to tackle economic instability, improve nationwide security, reduce corruption, reform governance, and lift our people out of poverty. How fast could you have rebuilt this country? If you allow the arbitrage in the exchange rate to continue, that is the grandfather of corruption. You could see the EFCC recover over 750 houses from one person.”
The President acknowledged the difficulties Nigerians have faced due to the reforms but maintained they were necessary steps toward national revival.
“Yes, we encountered challenges when we assumed office in May 2023, but we have made progress by implementing difficult, long-overdue, but necessary economic reforms. We have eliminated the arbitrage-driven multiple foreign exchanges, and our far-reaching tax reforms are underway. Because of these reforms, our country now attracts foreign direct investments that will ultimately create jobs and provide much-needed goods and services to significantly improve the standard of living of our people,” Tinubu added.
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, moved a motion to pass a vote of confidence in the President and endorsed him for a second term in 2027. The motion was seconded by Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.
Also speaking at the summit, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas lauded the President’s leadership and echoed their support for his re-election bid. They also moved a motion formally endorsing him for 2027.
APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, who led the party’s National Working Committee to the summit, also backed Tinubu’s re-election and declared him the APC’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
“I urge all members to reject internal sabotage. Engage communities, listen to citizens, and build a political structure beyond elections. Let us rally behind President Bola Tinubu, support our policies, and deliver the Renewed Hope Nigerians rightfully deserve,” Ganduje said.
The conference also reviewed the administration’s impact in critical sectors including health, infrastructure, and security.
