The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), members of the Federal Executive Council (FCE) and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday resolved to work towards achieving greater economic development for the country through the implementation on the on-going bold reforms.
They ignited hope about a brighter future for Nigeria, pointing out that the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s rating of economic performance has vindicated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, reports The Nation.
PGF Chairman and Governor of Imo State, who spoke after the meeting of the governors, ministers and party officers in Abuja, said the president has silenced the opposition by his impressive performance.
It was the first brainstorming session involving the heads of sub-nationals, ministers and the party leadership, signifying the fortifications of inter-governmental relations and strengthening of government/party ties.
According to sources, leaders at the session resolved to build on the collaboration to foster understanding between the Federal Government and states.
Discussions at the parley focused on how to tackle the opposition onslaught and propaganda deployed to paint the administration in the bad light, despite its giant strides across the sectors.
The meeting resolved to embark on aggressive projection of the achievements recorded in the strategic sectors, to counter the twisting of facts and figures by critics.
In particular, ministers are now mandated to engage their respective constituencies by explaining to them the giant strides of the administration and projections for the nearest future.
Also, the sub-nationals are to forge a synergy with the President in the battle against insecurity through novel support systems and the mobilisation of community resources critical to intelligence gathering.
Uzodinma said that despite the initial criticism of the President’s reform policies, the assessment of the performance indicators showed that he is on the right path.
Shedding light on the motivation for the meeting, he said: “You know at the beginning of this administration, when the President started with the reforms, the opposition was very loud in criticizing the policies of the government.
“But today, Mr. President is being vindicated. Gradually, international organizations like World Bank, IMF, are now beginning to commend the administration of President Bola Tinubu for taking bold decisions on embarking on a reform-driven government.”
Uzodinma highlighted the President’s focus and resilience, noting that he never allowed his administration to be distracted by the antics of the opposition.
He assured the President Tinubu and the ruling party that the governors would continue to garner the support of Nigerians for the administration to propel the country towards development and prosperity.
The PGF Chairman said the governors had resolved to coordinate and encourage party members to support the administration in its bid to erect lasting legacies.
Uzodimma said: “We have a responsibility as a party to provide support for the administration of this courageous and bold man (Tinubu) who has come to serve Nigeria.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria is undergoing transformation under the administration.
He added: “We feel happy to say that the government of APC has done so well. We have a lot to showcase. And we have all agreed that leading up to the midpoint of this administration, we will enlighten Nigerians more about what government is doing.
“We will also take feedback from Nigerians so that we can do even better. The APC family is a very big one. And it is not out of place for all of us to come together once again to look at what we have done in the last two years and project also where we are going in the future.
“We are happy with where we are going. We know that there have been some challenges here and there, but we also know that we are in the right direction and God willing, Nigeria will get on for it.
At the meeting were Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos State), Mohammed Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and Usman Ododo (Kogi).
The NWC was led by the National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
Other ministers at the meeting are Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) (Justice and Attorney-General) and Festus Keyamo (SAN) (Aviation and Aerospace Development).
