President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set Nigeria on the path of steady recovery and transformation, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said yesterday.
The governor said visible results are manifesting through the implementation of bold reforms germane to the repositioning of the economy.
He said although these decisions by the Tinubu administration are tough, they are necessary. Fintiri, who last week defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with key state lawmakers, council chairmen and members of the State Executive Council, vowed to mobilise for the president’s re-election in Adamawa during January’s poll.
He assured Nigerians that the state would deliver 85 percent of the votes to the ruling party.
Fintiri hailed President Tinubu’s scorecard when he visited the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
Reflecting on the administration’s micro-economic reforms, he said despite the initial challenges, positive effects are now becoming increasingly visible due to their far-reaching impact on the masses.
The governor said the country is on the path of recovery and transformation, judging by the measurable results emerging from what he described as tough, but necessary decisions.
Fintiri said: “There is light at the end of the tunnel. The Renewed Hope Agenda is gaining traction across key sectors of the economy.
“I think judging by the work done by Mr. President, he deserves a second term. I think it’s going to be smooth, it’s going to be accepted by all Nigerians. Because of the micro-economic policy that he initiated, yes, it was rough for most of us because we are not used to it.
“But it has given a very positive result to us, and the country is really working in the right direction. And it seems to be agreed by all of us that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
The governor clarified that he only returned to the APC and did not defect to the party.
He stressed: “We do not call it defection because we formed the APC together in 2014. This is a homecoming.”
Fintiri said the Adamawa political structures have aligned with the APC, stressing that they are already mobilising vigorously ahead of 2027.
He added: “We are working towards delivering 85 percent of the votes in Adamawa, and we will ensure that no other candidate secures up to 25 percent in the state. We are fully integrated, fully on the ground, and working tirelessly to achieve this goal.”
The likely presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hails from the state.
The governor explained that the party has already held its first stakeholders’ meeting in the state, describing it as the largest political gathering in recent times.
He said: “We are used to winning elections, and we have brought that winning culture back to the party. Everyone is on board, and we will ensure that no one is left behind.”
Describing himself as a grassroots mobiliser, the governor pledged to lead a strategic and aggressive mobilisation drive to consolidate the party’s dominance in the state.
He added: “Our commitment is clear to ensure a massive victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in 2027. We are here, and we are here fully.”
Yilwatda described Fintiri’s return as a significant boost to the party’s growing influence.
He applauded the governor’s record, particularly his focus on coordination, development and impactful projects, noting that it aligns with the progressive ideals of the APC.
Yilwatda said: “We welcome him to where he rightfully belongs. He is a progressive with a progressive mindset, and the APC remains the natural home for leaders committed to reform, development, and national renewal.”
The chairman dismissed the allegation that the ruling party was responsible for the crises in opposition parties, saying that it is not the responsibility of the APC party to strengthen or organize opposition groups.
Yilwatda said: “Democracy is competitive. Our duty is to deliver good governance and win elections based on performance. It is not our duty to organize the opposition. It’s the duty of the opposition to organize themselves.
“We’re very happy if they can’t organize themselves. Because our duty is to ensure we win the election. So, we can’t go and start organising, funding, and building the opposition. It is a competition. We are presenting our scorecard to Nigerians. Nigerians everywhere believe in us.”
The chairman also cited the recent off-season election victories across the country as evidence of growing public confidence in the APC and its leadership.
Ministers visit party secretariat
Four members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) also visited national chairman in his office.
They are Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Women Affairs Minister, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim and Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser on Policy Coordination.
Though the visitors kept sealed lips after a closed door meeting with the party leadership, Yilwatda said their visit was part of the move to align the party’s manifestos with government policies and programmes.
He said there should be a synergy between the party and the executive arm of government.
Yilwatda added: “We want to ensure that they (ministers) are implementing the policies of the party, the promises we make to the people.
“We have a social contract between the people of Nigeria and the party. And we’re ensuring that we supervise our side of the functions to ensure that all those promises that we committed ourselves to the people are being implemented.”
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