President Bola Tinubu on Thursday called on governors of the six North-East states to redouble efforts in tackling terrorism and banditry, stressing that stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and subnational authorities is essential to restoring lasting peace in the region.
The President gave the charge while receiving a delegation of political leaders, governors and other prominent stakeholders from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The visit was led by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who chairs the North-East Governors’ Forum.
Addressing the delegation, Tinubu acknowledged the security challenges confronting the region and urged leaders to remain united in confronting them.
“I could see the leadership of the Northeast challenged because of terrorism and banditry. I could see our collaboration. We work together.
“Only when we stick together, think together, and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country do we prevail.”
The President also expressed optimism about the country’s economic direction, declaring that Nigeria had entered a new phase of stability and growth.
“The golden age is here now. If you can stabilise the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much, simple stability and social welfare.
“We have our hands on the plough. We are never going to look back. I promise you, through the twists and turns of this democracy, Nigeria will survive.
“We will find our unity in diversity, a good path for democratic stability and prosperity. I promise you that.”
Tinubu highlighted his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development in the North-East, recalling his promise to improve road connectivity across the region.
“I remember when I asked passionately for some road networks in the Northeast, as if we were starting the journey and writing a new manifesto. But I fulfilled the promise. I fulfilled it,” he said, referring to the ongoing Akwanga-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway project.
The President also used the occasion to reassure pensioners that his administration was addressing inherited pension liabilities.
“Among the divisions today are some pensioners.
“I hope you are receiving your pensions.
“I am clearing the mess created before me, but I won’t complain.”
Tinubu paid glowing tribute to former Vice Presidential candidate Babagana Kingibe, recalling the role he played in shaping progressive politics during the Social Democratic Party era.
“When I started in politics, you were the chairman of our Social Democratic Party. You gave us the footing and the confidence of a progressive philosophy that should have been the hallmark of this country.
“Glad that you are alive through the twists and turns of democracy. Thank you for being who you are.”
Earlier, Governor Zulum explained that the delegation’s visit was primarily to express appreciation to the President for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
“Your Excellency, we are here for just one overriding purpose, to show our appreciation and thank you most profoundly for the renomination of an accomplished son of our region, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, as your vice-presidential running mate in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”
He praised Tinubu’s decision, describing it as recognition of loyalty and competence.
“By this decision, you have once again demonstrated your great quality of being a leader who recognises and rewards loyalty, competence, and commitment.
“Vice President Shettima has demonstrated for all to see these qualities and more in the last three-plus years that he has served as your trusted lieutenant, as you led our nation with purpose, dedication, and profound vision.”*l
Zulum also acknowledged the support of leaders from the North-Central and North-West geopolitical zones for Tinubu’s choice of running mate.
“We are therefore also grateful to our brothers and sisters in the two other northern zones for their solidarity and self-abnegation in indicating their full support for your decision.
“We hope to express this appreciation to them in the near future, and we look forward to reciprocating their gesture of brotherhood whenever the occasion arises,” he said.
The governor further commended the Federal Government for ongoing infrastructure and development initiatives in the North-East, including major road projects, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, investments in agriculture, education and job creation.
Reaffirming the region’s political support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, Zulum declared:
“On behalf of the governors, ministers, National Assembly members, party members, women, youths, and our teeming supporters, I wish to assure Your Excellency that the North-East remains solidly behind your administration.
“Come 2027, by God’s will, the North-East will massively deliver your ticket and all other APC candidates at all levels.
“We will do this not only because of what you have already done for the region, but because we believe in your leadership and share your vision of the future Nigeria you are building.”
Also speaking, former Vice Presidential candidate and elder statesman, Babagana Kingibe, assured the President of the continued backing of respected political leaders across the North-East.
“We are not all active politicians you see on screens or in the media every day, but we are there.
“We are with our people. We guide 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 is where truth and hope lie.”
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Kingibe expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership.
“Mr President, we are with you. We are with your administration, and by the grace of God, you will continue where we stopped in 1993, and bring hope to our great fatherland.”
The delegation included former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), former governors, ministers, senators, APC state chairmen from the six North-East states, traditional rulers led by the Shehu of Borno and the Emir of Gombe, former ambassadors and other prominent political and community leaders.
(Ripples)