By LAWAL TAOFEEK

20 first-term Governors under the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have agreed to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the governors held their meeting on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, hosted by Kebbi Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, at the Government House.

Reading the communiqué after their closed-door meeting, Gov. Idris said members of the forum resolved to campaign for President Tinubu’s re-election based on the achievements of the party, without sentiment, in their respective states.

Idris disclosed that the governors seeking a second term under the APC resolved to support the president with performance in their respective states, not propaganda.

“We recognise that our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must be matched by performance in our states. We will not merely ask Nigerians to support the President.

“We will give them reasons to believe by working harder to deliver visible results and ensuring that federal reforms translate into local benefits.

“We are therefore committed to radical action on agriculture and food security in rural areas, infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment, security collaboration, energy access, investment promotion, revenue generation, job creation, and transparent governance,” he said.

Idris said the progressive governors acknowledged the sacrifices Nigerians had made during the current period of economic adjustment.

“Families, workers, farmers, traders, transporters, young people, women, and vulnerable citizens have all felt the weight of current realities.

“We do not dismiss these difficulties. Leadership demands truth, and the truth is that Nigeria is undergoing a necessary period of correction after years of accumulated fiscal, security, productivity, and development challenges.

“We are convinced that the reforms being undertaken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are necessary to stabilise the economy, restore public finances, attract investment, strengthen national productivity, enhance security, and secure a more sustainable future for Nigerians.

“Our support for President Tinubu is not based on politics alone,” noted.

According to him, it is based on the conviction that Nigeria requires courageous leadership, policy continuity, stronger federal-state collaboration, and a development path that rewards production, enterprise, agriculture, innovation, and hard work.

“Accordingly, we declare our total support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and for the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond 2027.

“We make this declaration as a commitment to national recovery, shared prosperity, democratic stability, and the protection of the Nigerian federation,” he said.

Idris said the forum believed in national unity and therefore called on Nigerians across all regions, religions, and communities to look beyond temporary discomfort and consider the bigger national picture.

“The question is not whether the journey has been difficult, it has been difficult.

“The real question is whether Nigeria should abandon reforms midway or stay the course, correct what needs correction, expand relief for the vulnerable, and allow the foundations being laid to produce lasting results,” he said.

He added that the governors noted the challenge of insecurity that has persisted for over two decades.

“We commit ourselves, individually and collectively, to the preservation of lives and property.

“We also express deep concern over continuing threats to citizens’ safety, including kidnapping, school abductions, attacks on educational institutions, terrorism, banditry, and criminality,” he said.

Idris said the governors condemn, in the strongest terms, the abduction of children, kidnapping of innocent citizens, attacks on schools, killing of vulnerable persons, and all acts of terror and criminality that undermine education, economic life, public confidence, and national peace.

“We commit to stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, State Governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, school authorities, and local intelligence networks to secure schools, protect communities, rescue victims, prosecute perpetrators, and restore confidence,” he assured.

Idris said the forum commended President Tinubu for taking difficult decisions in the national interest for a greater future.

“We also urge the Federal Government to continue expanding interventions that will directly reduce hardship, especially in food production, transportation, small businesses, rural livelihoods, energy, social protection, and security.

“We resolved that our re-election efforts will be anchored on performance, not propaganda; service, not sentiment; unity, not division; and results, not noise.

“We will go back to our people, present our records, listen to their concerns, correct our shortcomings, and seek their continued trust In the interest of stability.

“We believe the task before Nigerians is bigger than any single election. It is about the future of our country. It is about protecting democracy, securing our communities, feeding our people, creating jobs for our youth, and ensuring that today’s sacrifices become tomorrow’s prosperity.,” he said.

NAN reports that out of 20 APC governors seeking a second term, four were absent from the meeting held at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Tuesday.

Those absent included Gov. Umar Bago of Niger, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, Gov. Bassey Out of Cross River, and Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

NAN also reports that in attendance were; Govenors Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Abba Yusuf of Kano, Namadi Umar of Jigawa, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, and Usman Ododo of Kogi.

Others were; Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti. (NAN)

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