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| President Bola Tinubu |
Top leaders of Nigeria's ruling party have called for unity. The All Progressives Congress held a key meeting in Abuja. Vice President Kashim Shettima and legislative leaders spoke there. They urged strong support for President Bola Tinubu's administration. The focus is on preparing for the next national elections in 2027.
The meeting was the party's National Executive Committee gathering. It took place at the State House Conference Centre. Senior officials stressed the need for internal discipline. They also emphasized building political coalitions. Legislative backing for government reforms was another key point.
Vice President Shettima addressed the history of the party. He credited President Tinubu with a central role. Shettima said Tinubu helped sustain Nigeria's opposition structures. This was before the 2013 merger that created the APC. He told members that politics rewards institutional memory.
Shettima stated that current political control stems from past efforts. The APC now controls 28 states. He said this success is rooted in resisting one-party dominance. Some leaders organized when it was risky to do so. Shettima called for gratitude for these past actions.
The Vice President discussed the reality of winning elections. He said elections are not won on social media platforms. He mentioned Facebook and Twitter specifically. Shettima argued that coalitions, credibility, and conviction decide elections. He warned that incumbency alone cannot guarantee victory.
Shettima described the 2027 election cycle as a major responsibility. It will require discipline and strong organization. He said understanding past lessons is also critical. His comments set a serious tone for the party's preparation.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also spoke at the meeting. He pledged the National Assembly's continued support. He promised backing for President Tinubu's reform agenda. Akpabio said lawmakers have processed executive bills in a timely way. This has helped to stabilize national governance.
Akpabio aligned himself with other leaders' statements. He agreed with the APC National Chairman and the governors' forum. He also agreed with the House Speaker. Akpabio said their documents would guide Senate talks next week.
He advised governors to work more closely with legislators. He said this should happen at both state and federal levels. Akpabio called the assembly essential to democratic consensus. He said it is the branch closest to the grassroots people.
The Senate President made an important announcement. He said amendments to the Electoral Act will finish soon. The goal is to complete them before the end of January. These changes will set clear timelines for party activities. They will cover congresses, primaries, and the 2027 election itself.
Akpabio said legislative adjustments must prevent problems. He wants to avoid administrative gaps before elections. He also joined governors in a vote of confidence for Tinubu. Akpabio said the President is navigating difficult terrain. He insisted that economic and security reforms are showing results.
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National Executive Committee meeting in session.
Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas addressed the gathering. He focused on delivery and institutional alignment. Abbas urged the APC to deepen its internal cohesion. He said the party should view governance as a contract. This contract is between the party and the Nigerian people.
Abbas made a distinction between winning and governing. He said parties win elections, but institutions deliver outcomes. History will judge if APC-led authorities connected the two things. He commended Tinubu for pursuing difficult but necessary reforms.
The Speaker said the House of Representatives has tried to help. They aim to stabilize reforms through law and oversight. Their work also includes public representation. Abbas stressed the need for the party and government to work as one.
The Progressive Governors' Forum spoke at the meeting too. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was their chairman and spokesperson. The governors passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu. They cited his economic reforms as the reason for their support.
Governor Uzodimma described the APC in a positive way. He called the ruling party "a beautiful bride" ahead of future elections. This suggests the party is in a strong and desirable position.
He offered a grim view of the nation's past situation. Uzodimma said Nigeria was "in a state of coma" when Tinubu took office. He said this happened in May of 2023. He claimed national coffers were empty at that time.
The governor pointed to specific economic problems. He mentioned an unsustainable petrol-subsidy regime. He also cited a foreign-exchange crisis driven by arbitrage. Uzodimma stated that Tinubu "took the bull by the horn" with his actions.
A photo of Governor Hope Uzodimma addressing the press or a meeting.
According to the governor, the President's moves were necessary. They were needed to halt a total economic collapse. Tinubu removed the subsidy on petrol. He also tackled currency racketeering. Uzodimma said the President has refused to be distracted from this path.
The governor also addressed security policy. He said Tinubu adopted a "fire-for-fire" approach to insecurity. Uzodimma cited the swift rescue of kidnap victims. These rescues occurred in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States.
He made claims about current economic improvements. Uzodimma said inflation has dropped sharply. He added that petrol prices have now stabilized. He also stated that increased federal revenue is reaching states. Local governments are receiving more funds as well.
The APC NEC meeting served as a major coordination point. It brought together the executive and legislative branches of the party. The unified message was clear support for the Tinubu administration. The party's strategy for maintaining power is taking shape. It combines coalition-building, legislative action, and defending economic reforms. All efforts are now directed toward the 2027 elections.