President Bola Tinubu has declared that his focus is not on winning the next election but on building a better future for the next generation of Nigerians.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Southwest regional caucus meeting, held on Saturday in Lagos, Tinubu emphasized the importance of long-term reforms that would shape the nation’s future. He was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In his speech, Tinubu said, “We acknowledge that our decisions have been tough, but they needed to be taken. The gains are at the end of the tunnel. That time will come when we will all be happy and thank our Government for taking those decisions.”
The President was clear in his stance: “Right now, I am not thinking of the next election, but about the next generation. This is why we are implementing reforms that are long overdue. This is the hallmark of a true leader.”
The caucus meeting, which was hosted by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, brought together key members of the APC in the Southwest. Sanwo-Olu, who is also the chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, welcomed all APC governors, lawmakers, former governors, state chairmen, and party elders from the region to discuss the future of the party and Nigeria.
Held at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, the gathering focused on major issues affecting both the party and the region. Top of the agenda were unity within the party, regional security, youth inclusion, economic recovery, and education.
The Southwest, being the political stronghold of President Tinubu, played a pivotal role in APC’s victory in the 2023 general elections, delivering over 2.8 million votes. However, despite the party’s popularity, there are growing concerns about the future prospects of APC in the region.
The meeting was seen as a crucial step toward strengthening the party and addressing internal divisions.
In his opening remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of unity within the party. He highlighted the enormous potential of the Southwest to lead the country toward prosperity, noting its rich cultural heritage, human resources, and intellectual strength.
“The Southwest is blessed with immense potential to lead the country toward prosperity. We have abundant human and natural resources, exceptional creativity, and intellectual strength,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He called for collaboration among party members to confront challenges, such as youth restlessness and the growing “get rich quick” mindset, which he said were eroding family values.
“As a key geopolitical region in the country, we must live in unity and work together to pursue goals that will uplift our people. We must restore family values, confront youth restlessness, and tackle the growing ‘get rich quick’ mindset,” the Lagos State Governor added.
Sanwo-Olu also commended the efforts of President Tinubu in addressing the country’s challenges, particularly the economic reforms. He urged Nigerians to cooperate with the government to achieve the desired swift economic recovery.
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, delivered a keynote speech that called on the APC leadership to acknowledge the current challenges facing the party and develop practical solutions.
He warned the APC against complacency, urging the party to remain focused on its promises to Nigerians. “While we can be proud of the road we have traveled since 2015, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels,” Fayemi said.
Fayemi stressed the need for APC to expand social security, invest in human development, and revamp the education system. According to him, these actions are critical to tackling poverty and empowering citizens, particularly the youth.
“Our party, particularly in the Southwest, should commit to facilitating wealth and employment creation for our people. We must expand social security, skills acquisition policies, and embark on a wholesale revamp of our education system to ensure it is fit for purpose,” Fayemi urged.
The former governor also called on the APC to improve its reward system to motivate members and encourage consistency and integrity in governance. He said the party should avoid taking the public for granted and ensure elected officials fulfill their mandates to the people.
The APC leadership present at the forum, including the National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, and Zonal Chairman of the Southwest APC, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, echoed the calls for unity and action.
Kekemeke praised President Tinubu for his courage in addressing the difficult issues facing the country, including economic reforms. He said that while these reforms may be tough, they are necessary for Nigeria’s long-term success.
“We stand with the President for his courage to address the malady in the country,” Kekemeke said. He added that the caucus meeting was a platform to resolve internal party disagreements and bring about cohesion in the region.
Dr. Basiru emphasized that the Southwest caucus forum is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen the APC across Nigeria. He revealed that similar meetings would soon be held in other regions to galvanize support for the party and its governance agenda.
The Southwest remains a critical political base for APC and President Tinubu, but challenges remain. Internal divisions, growing public discontent, and economic difficulties are some of the hurdles the party must overcome to maintain its stronghold in the region.
Tinubu’s administration has introduced several controversial economic reforms, such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the floating of the naira. While these decisions have been criticized, the President believes they are necessary to stabilize the country’s economy and secure a prosperous future for all Nigerians.
