PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Saturday said his administration currently is not thinking of next election holding in 2027, but the posterity of the next generation.
President Tinubu made this known during the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West Zone Assembly, which took place at Eko Hotels, Lagos, and hosted by the Chairman, South West Governors’ Forum and Lagos Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The president, who was represented by his Chief of Staff (COS), Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, explained that he was also pained due to the hardship in the land, but quickly assured that things would turn out better.
According to him, with a very tough decision taken by his administration, there is light at the end of the tunnel, the time will come “when we will all thank him for the decision.
“The President has asked me to convey his message. He knows he has taken a very tough decision. He sees the light at the end of the tunnel. The time will come when we will all thank him for the decision.
‘’The president said I should let you know that he is not thinking of the next election, but the next generation.
“For every moment in a country, a particular leader is produced for that time. This is the time to produce a leader that is courageous,” he said.
Tinubu assured that all deliberations by the South-West caucus of the ruling APC would be given consideration, noting that the South-West remains his base even though he is Nigeria’s president.
The president, while noting that the country’s challenges were diverse, assured that his concern remains the progress of Nigeria, promising that he would continue to do the bidding of the people.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the gathering was meant as a big family to share ideas and agree on strategies to take the South-West to greater heights, adding that the ruling party was blessed with assets and more positioned to move the country forward.
“We have come as one big family to explore and have more ways to work together. It is to share ideas and agree on strategies to take South-West to greater heights.
“We are blessed with assets and more positioned to move the country forward,” the governor said.
Besides, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the gathering was to reinvigorate hope in people, pointing out that the strong omoluabi ethos in the zone should engender the progress of the region and the country.
He appealed to the leaders and other members to give adequate support to President Tinubu, saying that they should strive to forge ahead of 2027 elections.
In his speech the Senate Leader and Leader of the South West Caucus in the National Assembly, Senator Bamidele Opeyemi, described the South West APC Caucus in the 10th Assembly as very strategic, saying that it was concerned about the development of the region.
“Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023, the South West Caucus has been a formidable force, contributing significantly to the progress of our legislative duties. Out of the 18 senators from the South-West, 15 are from the APC, making our zone the largest single bloc of APC senators in the Senate.
“This has given us considerable influence, and we have used it effectively for the good of our people. First and foremost, we aligned ourselves with the party’s leadership, ensuring that the leadership structure of the Senate and House of Representatives was in line with the dictates of our great party.
“Moreover, we have stood firmly with the leadership of the National Assembly, especially when plots were being hatched to bring the leadership to disrepute. We remain united behind the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and his Deputy, Jubrin Barau. Even when there were unfounded allegations of budget padding, the South West Caucus remains a stabilizing force in the Senate.
“Secondly, our zone has also received fair recognition in the leadership of the Senate. I am honoured to serve as the Senate Leader while in the House of Representatives, we occupy the Chief Whip’s seat and other high-ranking positions. This extends to key committee leadership roles, which further amplify our influence in national decision-making.
“One of the major achievements of our caucus is the successful passage of the South West Development Commission Bill. This was not just a necessity but a matter of equity, as other regions have similar commissions in place,” he added.
The keynote speaker, who is also the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi, urged the APC South West zone to set example by ensuring that the caucus is replicated at the national Assembly to the State and local government levels.
“We in the South West zone should set example by ensuring that the caucus is replicated at the national Assembly to the State and local government levels
“We cannot continue to rest on our oars as a party, we should be ready to forge a united front. I am convinced that APC will remain strong to accomplish the unfinished business of the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President,” the former governor said.
Other governors at the event included Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), while party leaders at the meeting included, ex-interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; ex-Ogun Govenors Olusegun Osoba and Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos GAC leader, Tajudeen Olusi; Senators, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly members, among others.
