Tinubu charges North-East governors to step up fight against terrorism, banditry
…as N/East stakeholders plans to deliver massive votes for APC candidates
By Taiwo Scholarstica
President Bola Tinubu has urged governors in the six North-East states to intensify efforts to tackle terrorism and banditry threatening the region.
The President spoke on Thursday when he received a delegation of political leaders and senior government officials from the North-East at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The visit was largely seen as a thank-you visit following Tinubu’s decision to retain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during the meeting, Tinubu said the security situation in the region required stronger collaboration among leaders.
“I could see the leadership of the Northeast challenged because of terrorism and banditry. I could see our collaboration. We work together.”
“Only when we stick together, think together, and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country do we prevail,” he said.
The President noted that his administration’s economic policies had placed the country on a better footing, expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future.
“The golden age is here now. If you can stabilise the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much, simple stability and social welfare.”
“We have our hands on the plough. We are never going to look back. I promise you, through the twists and turns of this democracy, Nigeria will survive.”
“We will find our unity in diversity, a good path for democratic stability and prosperity. I promise you that,” he added.
Tinubu also highlighted some of the infrastructure projects being undertaken in the North-East, recalling his earlier commitment to improving road networks in the region.
“I remember when I asked passionately for some road networks in the Northeast, as if we were starting the journey and writing a new manifesto. But I fulfilled the promise. I fulfilled it,” he said.
The President also spoke about pensioners, assuring them that his administration was working to clear pension arrears inherited from previous governments.
“Among the divisions today are some pensioners. I hope you are receiving your pensions. I am clearing the mess created before me, but I won’t complain,” the President said.
Earlier, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who led the delegation and chairs the North-East Governors Forum, said the group was at the Villa to express its appreciation to the President for retaining Shettima as his running mate.
Zulum said, “Your Excellency, we are here for just one overriding purpose, to show our appreciation and thank you most profoundly for the renomination of an accomplished son of our region, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, as your vice-presidential running mate in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election on the platform of our great party, the All Progressives Congress.”
“By this decision, you have once again demonstrated your great quality of being a leader who recognises and rewards loyalty, competence, and commitment.”
“Vice President Shettima has demonstrated for all to see these qualities and more in the last three-plus years that he has served as your trusted lieutenant, as you led our nation with purpose, dedication, and profound vision.”
The governor noted that the President had the option of selecting a running mate from any of the three northern geopolitical zones under the APC’s power-sharing arrangement.
He said the decision to retain a candidate from the North-East also required the support of political leaders from the North-West and North-Central.
“We are therefore also grateful to our brothers and sisters in the two other northern zones for their solidarity and self-abnegation in indicating their full support for your decision.”
“We hope to express this appreciation to them in the near future, and we look forward to reciprocating their gesture of brotherhood whenever the occasion arises,” the Governor said.
Zulum said the delegation also appreciated the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects in the region, including the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway and other major road projects.
He also listed the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, as well as investments in education, agriculture and employment generation, among the areas where the administration had made commitments to the region.
Speaking on the region’s position ahead of the 2027 election, Zulum said, “On behalf of the governors, ministers, National Assembly members, party members, women, youths, and our teeming supporters, I wish to assure Your Excellency that the North-East remains solidly behind your administration.”
“Come 2027, by God’s will, the North-East will massively deliver your ticket and all other APC candidates at all levels.”
“We will do this not only because of what you have already done for the region, but because we believe in your leadership and share your vision of the future Nigeria you are building.”
Those who attended the meeting included former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai; former governors and senators from the six North-East states; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia; former Borno State Governor and APC chieftain, Ali Modu Sheriff; former FCT Minister Musa Bello; APC state chairmen from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
Traditional rulers, including the Shehu of Borno and the Emir of Gombe, former ambassadors and other dignitaries were also part of the delegation.