- President Tinubu hosted an Iftar dinner with political leaders, urging them to prioritise the poor and vulnerable
- He highlighted ongoing economic reforms and the need for effective resource management
- The President called for national unity and long-term vision for Nigeria’s progress
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on governors, ministers, and other political leaders to prioritise policies and initiatives that directly benefit the poor and vulnerable in society.
His appeal came on Monday night during an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja, where he hosted governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs, and heads of select ministries, departments, and agencies.
The dinner, attended by key political figures, marked the first Iftar the President has hosted during the ongoing Ramadan.
Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed the President's remarks in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu urges governors, political leaders to focus on the poor, vulnerable.’
In his address, Tinubu expressed his gratitude to those in attendance and called on them to continue their efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerians, especially the disadvantaged.
“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,” Tinubu remarked, emphasising the need for selfless leadership.
The president urged political leaders to ensure public resources are used effectively to enhance the lives of ordinary citizens.
He highlighted the ongoing economic reforms and the need for cooperation between the federal and state governments to make meaningful progress.
“I recall in our first Federal Executive Council 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,” Tinubu said, stressing the importance of sustained efforts and collective action.
The president also pointed to the ongoing economic reforms as a testament to the collective contributions of government officials. “You, the leaders at the subnational levels, are also doing all you can to spend money, not the people,” he noted.
Urging leaders to think beyond short-term gains, Tinubu called for a long-term vision that would positively shape Nigeria’s future.
“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 said.
In addition to his call for improved governance, Tinubu stressed the importance of unity within Nigeria, regardless of religious or ethnic backgrounds.
“Nigeria should be seen as one big family living under the same roof,” he stated, reinforcing the need for national cohesion.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, thanked the President for his bold and decisive reforms, particularly in the economic sector.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, who led the Christian prayers at the event, remarked, “It is no coincidence that Muslims and Christians are fasting at the same time,” highlighting the spirit of unity during Ramadan.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, also commended the President, noting that prices of goods and foodstuffs were steadily dropping, reflecting the positive impact of the economic reforms.
Among those present at the dinner were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and several state governors, including Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), among others.
The gathering also saw the attendance of key heads of government agencies, such as the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Professor Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, and the Comptroller-Generals of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and Nigeria Customs Service.
Notably, the Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, were present.
Their ongoing power tussle in Rivers State recently saw a Supreme Court ruling in favour of Wike’s faction, which led to the reinstatement of 27 lawmakers loyal to the former governor.
Subsidy Removal: Allocations have tripled, governors are happy, Tinubu defends decision
Earlier, TheRadar reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asserted that the decision to remove the fuel subsidy had significantly improved Nigeria's financial standing, leading to a marked increase in allocations to state governments.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) maiden national caucus meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, February 26, the president confidently stated that governors could testify to receiving more funding to support their states since the subsidy was scrapped.
