President Bola Tinubu has urged governors in the North-East to intensify efforts against terrorism and banditry. He warned that lasting progress in the region will depend on stronger cooperation between federal and state authorities.
Tinubu gave the charge on Thursday while receiving governors, political leaders and senior government officials from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to Vanguard, the delegation visited the President to thank him for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 general election.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu acknowledged the security pressures confronting leaders in the region. He stressed that unity remained central to defeating armed groups.
“I could see the leadership of the North-East challenged because of terrorism and banditry. I could see our collaboration. We work together,” he said.
The President added that Nigeria could only overcome its security and development challenges when leaders acted with a shared sense of purpose.
“Only when we stick together, think together and face the challenges the best way possible as a united country do we prevail,” he said.
Tinubu says Nigeria has entered a ‘golden age’
Tinubu also declared that the country had stabilised economically and entered what he described as a golden age.
He said Nigerians were seeking economic stability, social welfare and confidence in the future. He added that his administration would not abandon its reform programme.
“The golden age is here now. If you can stabilise the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much, simple stability and social welfare,” he said.
Tinubu maintained that Nigeria would survive the difficulties associated with democratic governance and eventually achieve greater unity and prosperity.
“We have our hands on the plough. We are never going to look back,” he said. “Through the twists and turns of this democracy, Nigeria will survive.”
The President also highlighted infrastructure projects in the North-East, including the Akwanga-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway. His administration began the project earlier in the year.
He said the project showed that the government had fulfilled commitments made to improve road networks and economic connections across the region.
Tinubu also assured pensioners at the meeting that his administration was addressing outstanding obligations inherited from previous governments.
“I am clearing the mess created before me, but I won’t complain,” he said.
Zulum thanks Tinubu for retaining Shettima
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who led the delegation, said the visit was mainly to appreciate Tinubu for choosing Shettima again as his running mate.
Zulum, who chairs the North-East Governors Forum, described the Vice President as a loyal and competent partner. He said Shettima had supported the administration’s programmes over the past three years.
“By this decision, you have once again demonstrated your great quality of being a leader who recognises and rewards loyalty, competence and commitment,” Zulum said.
He noted that the APC’s power-sharing arrangement allowed Tinubu to choose a running mate from any of the three northern geopolitical zones.
According to him, the decision to retain a candidate from the North-East also reflected support from leaders in the North-Central and North-West.
Zulum thanked the two regions for backing the decision and promised that the North-East would reciprocate their support when necessary.
The governor also praised the administration’s investments in road construction, education, agriculture, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and job creation.
He assured Tinubu that the North-East would support the APC ticket in the 2027 election.
“Come 2027, by God’s will, the North-East will massively deliver your ticket and all other APC candidates at all levels,” Zulum said.
Kingibe pledges support for administration
Former Vice President Babagana Kingibe also pledged support for Tinubu, saying senior political figures who were not always visible in the media still played important roles in their communities.
Kingibe said such leaders helped explain government policies to the public and provided political guidance to their supporters.
“We are not all active politicians you see on screens or in the media every day, but we are there,” he said.
Reflecting on the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Kingibe said Tinubu had an opportunity to continue the democratic journey. The journey was interrupted more than three decades ago.
“Mr President, we are with you. We are with your administration, and by the grace of God, you will continue where we stopped in 1993,” he said.
The delegation included former Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, former governors, senators, APC officials and traditional rulers.
Also present were former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, former FCT Minister Musa Bello, the Shehu of Borno, the Emir of Gombe and other political leaders from the six North-East states.
