President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said having worked hard and won the presidency and other elective offices, the All Progressives Congress must now focus on service delivery to Nigerians.
Tinubu urged the APC leadership, particularly elected officials, to be steadfast with good governance, which, he said, will re-engineer the economic and political landscape of the nation to address the needs of the poor.
Speaking at the 12th National Executive Council meeting of the party in Abuja, where former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Senator Basiru Ajibola emerged as the new National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, the President pledged that his administration would continue to ensure that all government programmes benefit and uplift the masses of the country rather than bringing more pain.
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Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed in a statement he signed on Thursday titled ‘President Tinubu galvanizes APC leaders at NEC: effective implementation of ideas is paramount in addressing needs of the poor.’
In his first NEC address since his election victory, Tinubu said winning the election is only the beginning of a longer progressive journey.
He noted that responsive and accountable governance is a separate challenge that requires continuous effort.
“We are in the process of establishing fully a government of the people, for the people, and by the people.
“It is in my time that the subsidy has been removed, and it is now upon us to satisfy the yearnings of the poor in a larger, restructured economy,” President Tinubu declared.
He urged party members to promote unity, stability, and camaraderie forged in common purpose among themselves, reiterating that nurturing the party should start from the grassroots level.
President Tinubu also called on the party faithful to train its sights squarely on development and prosperity for the country.
He assured Nigerians that his administration is poised to build international trade partnerships across sectors that will benefit the national coffers and the wallets of the Nigerian people.
Tinubu defended the legitimacy of the 2023 election, echoing his earlier stated position that those who do not accept the outcome of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.
“We have worked hard, and we have received the trophy. Winning an election is the first part of the process.
“What is next is good governance and quality service delivery. We must promote unity, peace, and love among all organs of the party.
“You are the makers and drivers of the party. When all passengers are inside the bus, the driver must not fall asleep. The brake must also work well. Party loyalty must exist. As I always say, those who cannot accept the result of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Acting National Chairman, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said the governing party was conscious of its new challenges as the majority party at the sub-national level and in the National Assembly.
Paying tribute to the party’s founding members, Kyari said the party had achieved significant milestones that have positively impacted Nigerians since its establishment ten years ago.
He congratulated the President, the Vice President, and all elected party members on their election victory, describing the recent election of the Nigerian leader to the ECOWAS Chairmanship as a foreign policy triumph for Nigeria.
“The nation is happy with you for your bold and courageous decisions,” Kyari told the President, adding that the policies the administration pursued in the last two months have laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of Nigeria.
He promised that the party would continue to stand with President Tinubu “no matter the complexities of the challenges ahead.”
(Punch)
