The Senator representing Ogun East and former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, as well as his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, were absent at a strategic meeting of the All Progressives Congress held on Wednesday at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta, the state capital.

The meeting which was presided over by the governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, and the state party chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, was also attended by by former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, four former deputy governors; Sen Adegbenga Kaka, Prince Segun Adesegun, Alhaja Salmot Badru as well as Chief Yetunde Onanuga.

The Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, as well as the Minister of State for Health, Dr Kunle Salako, were also at the meeting.

Others in attendance were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Daisi Elemide leading other state lawmwakers, Sen Gbenga Obadara, Sen Akin Odunsi, Sen Gbolahan Dada, Sen Lekan Mustapha, Sen Olamilekan Adeola representing Ogun West and his counterpart representing Ogun Central, Sen Shuaib Salisu among other members of the House of Representatives led by the Deputy Chief Whip and lawmaker representing Ifo/Ewekoro Federal constituency, Isiaka Ibrahim.

The meeting, according to statement earlier sent out, was expected to convene key party leaders and stakeholders across the state, including former Governors and Deputy Governors, former Speakers of the state assembly, serving and former members of the Federal Executive Council from the state tate, as well as serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies.

Also expected were members of the State Executive Council and other major stakeholders of the party.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting, Abiodun praised the economic reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu, describing them as bold decisions that rescued Nigeria from economic collapse and set the nation on the path of sustainable growth.

Abiodun said that many courageous reforms of Tinubu had helped to restore the country back to the path of profitability, sustainable development and growth and surely deserves to be given another term of four years beyond 2027.

Commending the president’s leadership, the governor said Tinubu demonstrated courage and clarity by confronting long-standing economic distortions, particularly the removal of fuel and foreign exchange subsidies.

“At a time when the economy had severely nosedived, our president rose with courage, conviction and clarity to take hard but necessary decisions aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable development,” Abiodun said.

He recalled comments recently made by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who described Tinubu’s reforms as the greatest enabler of Nigeria’s economic recovery.

“Many of us thought fuel subsidy was the worst burden, but in reality, the foreign exchange subsidy — the multiple exchange rate system — was the biggest monster. On May 29, 2023, Mr President removed both, and that marked the beginning of genuine reforms,” he said.

He explained that the impact of the reforms is already evident, citing improved fuel availability, declining inflation, a stabilising naira, renewed investor confidence and foreign reserves now standing at about $45 billion.

He also highlighted major infrastructure projects initiated by the president, including the 700-kilometre coastal highway and the 1,000-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry superhighway, noting that Nigeria is once again attracting investors.

“Foreign flights are now full of investors coming into the country. In Ogun State today, you cannot move 100 metres without seeing a new factory,” he said, adding that the World Bank recently rated Nigeria as a benchmark for economic recovery.

The governor said that “In view of the bold economic reforms, focused and visible achievements clear direction and purposeful leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose performance continues to inspire confidence at home and abroad.

“Let’s all therefore stand up to reaffirm our trust in the President’s capacity to further lead our nation to greater height.

“It is therefore bold befitting and strategic to endorse the President for another term of four years for the consolidation and continuity of his courageous government till 2031”.

Speaking on party unity, Abiodun expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the meeting, describing it as a demonstration of the APC’s strength, cohesion and relevance.

“The strength of the APC has always been anchored on unity and fairness. A united APC is an unbeatable APC,” he said, urging leaders to continue closing ranks.

The governor said that he remain committed to presiding over the first peaceful, rancour-free and orderly transition of his successor on May 29, 2027, maintaining that this is his solemn commitment to the ruling party and the people of the state.

Abiodun also announced plans by his administration to build a befitting APC secretariat in the state within six months.

Reflecting on his administration’s achievements, Abiodun listed major strides in infrastructure, housing, healthcare, job creation, youth and women empowerment, noting that over 7,000 housing units and several primary healthcare centres have been delivered across the state.

“Only yesterday, NNPCL commenced commercial oil drilling in Ogun Waterside. Our GDP now stands at ₦17 trillion. These achievements are not accidental; they are products of careful planning and vision,” he said.

He added that Ogun State is now ranked among Nigeria’s top-performing states and is often compared only with Lagos in terms of economic growth and development.

Abiodun further pledged to ensure a smooth and transparent transition to a successor when his tenure ends, while again commending Tinubu for his consistent support for Ogun State.

“There is nothing I have asked of Mr President for Ogun State that he has not approved,” he said, disclosing that plans are underway to establish the largest dairy and cattle ranch in Ipokia Local Government Area and Yewa South through federal support.

Describing the endorsement of Tinubu as both strategic and deserved, Abiodun said extending the president’s mandate would allow ongoing reforms to be consolidated and sustained through 2031.

Speaking earlier, Osoba also praised Tinubu for daring all odds to thread where others had feared particularly with his bold and courageous and economic reforms that has helped to stabilize the country’s economy.

Osoba said that as a result of these economic reforms, the government of the day now have more resources to take care of the masses but it is regrettable that the grassroots are yet to benefit from this freed resources urging the state governors to address this challenge.

The former governor also debunked the notion that Tinubu is working towards making the country a one-party state saying that those defecting from the opposition party including the governors are doing so because of the purposeful leadership being provided by the President.

Osoba said that “the President is not tilting the administration of the country towards a one party state and we are also not election riggers like those that were before us.

“Those that were before us were riggers of polls, they started the politics of garrison Commander. In July 2018, Punch reported how 14 APC Senators and 37 members of House of Representatives defected to PDP.

“The heaven did not fall, we accepted it in good faith but when it is now our party’s turn to also receive people defecting from other opposition parties, people now begin to say what never happened.

“The truth is that these governors are defecting voluntarily and not being forced or coerced. This is unlike what happened in 2003 under PDP’s administration when they brazenly rig all the elections.

“In Ogun State, the results of Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government area was still being awaited but by 8am they have announced the results of the governorship election, we never rigged the election.

“So when people from our party were defecting and the opposition party which was in power at that time was enjoying every bit of it, we took it in good faith and now that the governors from the opposition parties are now coming into our party voluntarily, some are beginning to say what never happened.

“These defectors have certainly seen something much more better in our party than from where they are coming from. We now have more resources to take care of the country. It is not because we have sold many more barrels of oil, it is our President’s courageous economic reforms that are working.

“The courage to stop oil subsidy as well as the multiple exchange rates are the secrets behind the improved revenue generation. No state is owing workers their salaries anymore.

“However, I must admit that our people at the grassroots are yet to feel the impact of this reforms and here is where I will beg our governors to please address this challenge.

“No President is as courageous as President Tinubu and ready to face the consequences of his economic reforms, he has done so well and deserves to be supported for another term of four years to further take the nation to greater height”.

PHOTO:L-R: Member of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tolu Bankole; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide; Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola; Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Shuaib Salisu; and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, during the Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, on Wednesday

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