By Emmanuel Oloniruha and Emmanuel Mogbede
Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the party to beat in future elections.
AbdulRazaq said this at the 8th APC National Convention on Friday in Abuja, adding that it is the platform best equipped to lead Nigeria through reforms and national renewal.
He said the APC’s strength was in its ability to manage diversity, build trust, and maintain a culture of dialogue and inclusion.
He said that political parties endured not because they won elections, but because they built trust, manage differences, and continued to offer direction in times of change.
“The APC has come this far because it has never been just an election platform, it is a party that has brought people together, managed diversity, and progressed steadily.
“The ability to listen, accommodate, and remain united has been central to our strength.
“As party members, we must continue to protect that culture of dialogue, inclusion, discipline, and collective responsibility,” he said.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his courage in implementing tough but necessary decisions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
This, he noted, reflected a clear commitment to long-term progress, even when the path was not easy.
He further noted that those reforms had significantly increased resources for the federation, allowing states to fund critical priorities.
“At the sub-national level, we understand this responsibility. Our task is to ensure that reforms translate into real improvements in the lives of our people.
“On fiscal matters, states have actively shaped reforms to ensure they are practical and balanced,” he said.
Abdulrazaq commended Tinubu for reforms that had increased resources for the federation and positively impacted sub-national policies.
“The tax reform bill has also been passed in our state assemblies and adopted.
“Through initiatives such as the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), states are strengthening revenue systems, improving land administration, and enhancing public financial management to fund priorities more sustainably,” he said.
Abdulrazaq, however, said that revenue only mattered when it delivered results, adding that states were actively investing in improving living standards.
He also commended Tinubu’s initiative in agriculture and livestock sectors, including the establishment of Ministry of Livestock to support that industry.
He said that programmes such as the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRESS) and agro-climatic resilience initiatives had provided support for farmers while addressing climate challenges.
“In human capital development, initiatives such as Primary Health Care Under One Roof, the Health Compact, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the $5.1 billion MOU recently signed with the United States under America’s Global Health Strategy are improving health outcomes across states.
“We also appreciate the president’s commitment of three billion dollar toward this effort,” he said.
Noting that development can only succeed when lives and livelihoods are protected, Abdulrazaq said the governors were working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies to strengthen security coordination in the country.
He commended Tinubu’s efforts and investment in security, and expressed confident in his ability to address the country’s challenge.
He noted that the convention was a moment for the party to reflect on its responsibility to the country, adding that political parties endured only when they offered clear direction in times of change.
He expressed the need for the APC to move forward, stay focused, strengthen fiscal discipline, expand opportunities, invest in people, and ensure inclusion.
The governor said that human capital must remain at the centre of the party’s efforts, saying the strength of the nation depended on the strength of its people.
On his part, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, said the 31 APC governors were fully aligned with the President’s reform logic.
“ Under President Tinubu’s administration the direction is clearer, the reform logic is stronger and the prospects for long-term growth and development are brighter.
“What leadership requires is not merely the ability to manage the present, but the wisdom to prepare the future and in this regard, President Tinubu has shown statesmanship.
“We also acknowledge that the reforms are meaningful only when they touch lives. That is why the PGF remains fully aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda and deeply committed to its social progress,” he said.
Uzodimma pledged the governors commitment to continue to work with the Federal Government to advance policies and programmes that promote economic opportunity, and strengthen social protection.
He said the governors were also committed to expand infrastructure, improve security, support enterprise, empower young people and women, and restore confidence in public leadership.
The PGF Chairman stressed that the APC must remain broad enough to accommodate diversity and disciplined enough to protect its progressive values of justice and accountability.
“This is a moment for unity, not division; for discipline, not distraction; for service, not self-interest.
“Our party must remain faithful to the principles that define us: enterprise, inclusion, and national renewal,” Uzodimma said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
