By USMAN ALIYU

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of Progressive Governors’ Forum have pledged support for the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu, describing them as accelerating inclusive development.

The governors took this position at their two-day strategic meeting in Benin which ended on Saturday.

Reading the communiqué, issued by the governors, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, who is the Chairman of the group, said the forum reaffirmed its commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.

“We have critically appraised the socio-economic and political situation of the country and reaffirmed our commitment to President Tinubu’s bold reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria for inclusive prosperity,” Uzodimma said.

The forum also welcomed the defected Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom into its fold.

It described the move as a “reflection of growing national consensus on the transformative policies” of the Tinubu administration.

The governors commended President Tinubu for recent macroeconomic reforms including the removal of fuel subsidies, exchange rate unification, and debt rationalisation.

These policies, the forum said, were necessary steps towards long-term national revival.

“While we acknowledge early signs of recovery, we believe economic growth must be democratised.

“We are shifting focus towards social equity by expanding investments in job creation, MSMEs, food security, and social safety nets,” the governors said.

The forum underscored the vital role of state governments in driving economic development, citing Section 13 of the 1999 Constitution as a mandate for all tiers of government to promote citizens’ welfare.

“We are committed to deepening economic decentralisation and building on fiscal transfers from the Federal Government,” the bloc said.

The forum claimed that multiple APC-led states were now attracting significant domestic and foreign direct investments.

The governors attributed the development to improved procurement systems, digital governance, and investor-friendly regulatory frameworks.

On security, the governors lauded the efforts of the Armed Forces and the police in curbing criminality across the country.

They, however, called for greater investment in surveillance technology and improved welfare for frontline personnel, while backing ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots intelligence and community policing.

“Security is a shared responsibility.

“We will continue to support inter-agency collaborations and local partnerships to restore peace, especially in conflict-prone regions like Benue and Niger,” the forum said.

In a key political development, the progressive governors described the resignation of APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, as part of the party’s commitment to internal democracy and ongoing institutional renewal.

The governors also underscored the need to empower local governments as engines of service delivery and democratic inclusion.

“We believe in bottom-up transformation, which starts from the wards and LGAs and moves to the national,” they asserted.

The forum observed one minute silence in honour of the late elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata, of Kano State, who passed away while the meeting was ongoing.

The governors urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to rally behind the Tinubu-led government.

“Together, we can build a more secure, united, and prosperous nation,” they said.

In his remark Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo said that the group’s presence in the state was a testament to the party’s growing national appeal.

“This is a moment of renewed momentum for Nigeria. Under President Tinubu, we are not just reforming policies, we are restoring confidence,” he said. (NAN)