Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and sustain the gains recorded under its reform agenda.
Idris made the call in Abuja when he received the chairmen of the APC across the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, who paid him a solidarity visit.
The Minister said the support and unity of APC leaders were critical to consolidating achievements recorded in the economy, security, infrastructure, education and human capital development.
“All of us must join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that he can consolidate on the gains that we have already achieved and put Nigeria on a sound economic footing.”
Idris said Tinubu inherited a challenging economic and security situation when he assumed office in May 2023, with the country’s economic foundation under severe pressure and insecurity affecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
He, however, said the situation had changed significantly, giving the government greater fiscal capacity to execute developmental projects across the country.
“It is very easy to forget where we were coming from, but today that situation has changed significantly. We now have the fiscal headroom to undertake the developmental projects that Nigerians are seeing across the country.”
According to the Minister, the removal of the fuel subsidy had created additional resources for the Federal Government and subnational governments to invest in critical sectors, including agriculture, roads, healthcare, education and youth development.
He said the administration’s economic reforms were also contributing to the restoration of investor confidence, with investors returning to the country and foreign businesses gaining improved capacity to repatriate their earnings.
Idris highlighted major infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Federal Government, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
He noted that road construction was ongoing across the federation, describing infrastructure development as a key component of the administration’s efforts to drive economic growth and development.
On security, the Minister acknowledged that challenges remained but said the country was making gradual progress towards the restoration of normalcy.
“Are we yet there? No. Do we still have challenges? Yes. But are we seeing a progressive journey towards the restoration of normalcy in this country? Yes.”
Idris also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the initiative had enabled more than one million young Nigerians to access tertiary education by easing the financial burden of tuition and upkeep.
He added that the Federal Government was expanding opportunities in agriculture, the non-oil sector and solid minerals, while regional development commissions were being deployed to bring development closer to communities and address their specific needs.
The Minister urged APC leaders in Niger State to maintain unity and resolve internal disagreements through dialogue, stressing that the party must remain focused on strengthening the administration and sustaining its development agenda.
He said the progress recorded since 2023 provided a foundation for greater achievements and called on Nigerians to support the continuation and consolidation of the reforms.
“Any attempt to take us back to those times of uncertainty must be rejected by all Nigerians.”
Responding, the Chairman of the Chairmen of the APC 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State and leader of the delegation, Hon. Hashimu Izom, said the group visited to congratulate Idris, appreciate President Tinubu for his appointment and commend the Minister for his representation of Niger State at the federal level.
Izom also commended Idris for promoting unity in Niger State and supporting projects and initiatives benefiting the state.
