Tinubu urges governors to strengthen economic reforms, says Nigeria is in a new era

President Bola Tinubu said sticking to economic reforms has helped stabilize the economy. He believes Nigeria is entering a new era, ready to enjoy the benefits of democracy.

Tinubu spoke when he met with a group from the Northeast, led by Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State. He credited the progress to the strong support from the state governors.

The group included Governors Inuwa Yahaya from Gombe, Mala Buni from Yobe, and Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Kaletapwa Farauta. Also present were Shehu of Borno, Umar Al-Kanemi, Aku Uka of Wukari, Emir of Fika, Abali Ibn Idrissa, and Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar.

Other members included Babagana Kingibe, who was the Vice President-elect in 1993, ministers, senators, House of Representatives members, and former military leaders from the Northeast.

President Tinubu encouraged the governors to keep pushing for economic reforms. He wants Nigerians to understand how they can grow and benefit from these changes. He said, "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 is here now. Nigerians are not asking for too much: simple stability, social welfare."

The president stressed the need for unity in the Northeast. He wants everyone to work together to fight terrorism and banditry while also improving the region's development.

He said, "I could see the leadership of the Northeast challenged because of terrorism and banditry. I could see our collaboration. We work together, we stick together, we think together, and we face the challenges the best way possible as a united country."

Among the visitors were some pensioners. Tinubu said he hopes they are receiving their pensions if they are government workers. He added, "If I can go political, somebody among my prospective opponents; they privatized government investment in public entities. But they forget to pay the pensioners; I’m clearing the pensions now, clearing the mess they created."

He promised that through all the ups and downs of democracy, Nigeria will endure. He believes in finding unity in diversity to ensure democratic stability and prosperity. He said, "I promise you we’ll do our best."

President Tinubu thanked the leaders and elders from the Northeast, especially traditional rulers. He particularly recognized the Shehu of Borno, whom he consulted during his presidential campaign, and Mr. Kingibe.

He said, "Your Excellencies, let me acknowledge Babagana Kingibe, my leader and a mentor who helped cut my teeth politically as the first national chairman of the Social Democratic Party."

Governor Zulum, who leads the group, said they came to thank the president for re-nominating Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election. He also promised support for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

Zulum said, "We will continue to support the programs and policies of your government. We will continue to mobilize our people to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots. We are fired up that come 2027, the Northeast will massively deliver your ticket and all other APC candidates at all levels."

The Borno governor praised Tinubu’s work on infrastructure in the region and efforts to help Internally Displaced Persons. He assured the president of the Northeast's support for his administration.

He said, "We wish to acknowledge and register our profound appreciation to your administration for the commencement of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri expressway, among other strategic road projects in the Northeast region, which will positively impact the security of lives and properties of our people."

In his remarks, Mr. Kingibe recognized the president's leadership and commitment to economic reforms. He assured support for the Tinubu-Shettima presidential ticket in the upcoming 2027 election.

He said, "We are here to reaffirm and recommit ourselves to be his partner in ensuring that his efforts continue. As our leader, the Governor of Borno State said, for the next five years, we are not active politicians that you see on the screens or in the media every day, but we are there with our people; we guide them."

He added, "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 truth and hope stand."

Kingibe concluded, "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."