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President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, called on governors, ministers, and other political leaders to prioritise policies and initiatives that directly benefit the poor and vulnerable in society.
“Continue doing what you are doing. And do more for the people,” Tinubu appealed on Monday night while hosting governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs and heads of select ministries, departments, and agencies to an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed Tinubu’s parley with his guests in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu urges governors, political leaders to focus on the poor, vulnerable.’
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu emphasised the importance of selfless leadership and urged those in government to ensure that public resources are used to improve the lives of citizens.
“I thank you all for responding to this invitation. You honoured it out of respect, not because you don’t have enough to eat or share,” he said.
The President argued that meeting the expectations of Nigerians required commitment and collaborative efforts.
He also commended both the federal and state governments for implementing people-oriented policies that are beginning to yield positive results.
The President attributed the success of ongoing economic reforms to the collective contributions of members of the Federal Executive Council and cooperation from state governments.
“I recall in our first FEC meeting, I said we were going to work hard to fetch water from a dry well.
“We are still working hard to ensure that there is water to drink and that we spend money, not the people.
“You, the leaders at the subnational levels, are also doing all you can to spend money, not the people,” Tinubu stated.
The President urged political leaders to embrace a long-term vision and work towards a legacy that history would remember positively.
“Look at yourselves as navigators that will bring the country to the promised land.
Standing here as President is a great honour, and you can’t trade it.
“Continue doing what you are doing. And do more for the people,” he added.
Tinubu also called for unity, emphasising that Nigeria should be seen as one big family living under the same roof, regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, thanked the President for the bold and decisive reform of the Nigerian economy.
The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, who led the Christian prayers, said, “It is no coincidence that Muslims and Christians are fasting at the same time.”
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, noted that the prices of goods and foodstuffs were steadily dropping.
Fagbemi opined that the reforms had also improved livelihoods while commending the President for his courage.
Monday’s dinner is the first Iftar the President is hosting this Ramadan.
Seated are Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and cabinet members.
Among the governors in attendance were Alex Otti of Abia State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Mohammed Bago of Niger State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.
Also in attendance were heads of key government agencies: the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, were also spotted.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, are also part of the gathering.
Notably, the Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were in attendance.
In the power tussle between Wike and Fubara in Rivers, the Supreme Court recently ruled in favour of the faction led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who is aligned with Wike.
The judgment reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, challenging Fubara’s earlier attempts to assert control over the state assembly.
In response, Fubara invited the pro-Wike legislators for a meeting to discuss the implementation of the court’s decision.
