Abuja, State House — President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigeria’s 36 governors to focus on the welfare of citizens by investing in key areas such as poverty eradication, infrastructure development, rural electrification, and agricultural mechanization.
Speaking at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, July 31, Tinubu emphasized the critical role of governors in transforming the lives of Nigerians at the grassroots level.
“Let us change the story of our people in the rural areas. The economy is working. We are on the path of recovery, but we must stimulate growth in rural communities. We know the situation there — let us collaborate and implement measures that directly benefit our people,” President Tinubu said.
NEC Endorses Ward-Based Development Strategy
The presidency announced that the NEC endorsed the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP), a new ward-based development strategy targeting the 8,809 administrative wards across Nigeria’s 36 states. This initiative aims to accelerate double-digit economic growth through direct interventions at the local level.
President Tinubu urged governors to work closely with the federal government to boost rural economic development. He also stressed the need for agricultural support programs that would enhance school feeding schemes and help tackle insecurity in vulnerable areas.
Furthermore, the President directed the NEC to establish a committee focused on fast-tracking legacy infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Badagry and Lagos-Calabar Super Highways.
Political Reactions: Uba Sani, Fayose on Tinubu’s Leadership
Tinubu’s call came a day after Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani expressed strong support for the President’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation’s (SABMF) two-day government-citizen engagement session in Kaduna, Governor Sani praised the Tinubu administration for its inclusive approach involving non-state actors to address national challenges, particularly in the North.
“It would be difficult for any governor to oppose President Tinubu’s second-term bid,” Uba Sani stated confidently.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor and PDP chieftain Ayodele Fayose publicly endorsed President Tinubu for a second term while declaring his support for APC’s Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the upcoming 2026 Ekiti governorship election.
In a striking political gesture, Fayose attended an APC rally wearing a branded PDP cap, affirming his continued loyalty to the PDP despite his cross-party endorsement.
