Former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Dikko Radda, saying ongoing reforms require patience to succeed.
Shema made the call in Katsina during the inauguration of the Tinubu/Dikko Women and Youth Centre and the inauguration of the 2027 re-election campaign committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The committee is expected to coordinate grassroots mobilisation for APC candidates across the state’s 361 wards and 34 local government areas.
Shema said effective leadership required courage to take difficult decisions, noting that policies considered unpopular in the short term could produce long-term benefits for the country.
“There is no doubt that leadership is very important. During election campaigns, promises are made, but when leaders assume office, they sometimes discover that not all those promises can be fulfilled timely.
“The most important thing is to do one’s best and take decisions that are right rather than decisions that are merely popular,” he said.
The former governor said the economic and governance reforms being implemented by Tinubu and Radda were aimed at addressing long-standing structural challenges confronting the country.
According to him, the reforms would ultimately strengthen the economy, improve security and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.
“In the long run, the investments we are making in the management and governance of Nigeria will yield positive results. But we have to be patient. Trust Allah, our leaders and support them,” he said.
Shema urged APC members across Katsina and the country to remain united behind Tinubu, Radda and other candidates of the ruling party, stressing that meaningful governance required time to produce results.
He said years of economic hardship and insecurity could not be reversed overnight, describing insecurity as a national challenge that demanded collective responsibility.
While acknowledging the government’s responsibility to provide leadership, Shema said citizens also had a critical role to play in promoting peace, stability and national development.
“Leadership can provide the leading role, but followership must equally give its maximum contribution to ensure that this country becomes peaceful, secure and economically viable,” he said.
On opposition parties, Shema said criticism of the government was part of democracy, adding that Nigerians would ultimately determine who had served them better.
He also commended Radda for executing what he described as landmark development projects across Katsina State and expressed confidence that Tinubu’s reform agenda would deliver sustainable benefits.
Shema further urged Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders, noting that overcoming the country’s economic and security challenges required patience, sustained support and divine guidance.
Also speaking, Radda announced the appointment of the member representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Salisu Majigiri, as Executive Chairman of the committee.
He said the campaign structure would operate under the patronage of Shema, whom he described as a committed APC leader.
“This centre was organised through the patron, former governor of the state, Barrister Shema, to support the re-election of President Tinubu, myself and all APC candidates from top to bottom,” Radda said.
The governor prayed for Allah’s continued guidance and blessings for Shema, saying his contributions would further strengthen the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Josephine Obute and Yakubu Uba