From Cyril Mbah, Abuja.
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has urged former presiding officers of State Houses of Assembly to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Basiru made the call at a programme organised by the Kaduna State Chapter of Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly, themed “Kaduna 2026: United Voices of Experience, All Together for Tinubu 2027.”
He described the former presiding officers as experienced political actors whose electoral victories and years of public service have equipped them with strategic capacity to contribute to Tinubu’s re-election.
According to him, their experience places them in the position to educate Nigerians on rationale behind Tinubu’s economic reforms, counter opposition narratives and strengthen grassroots support.
Basiru noted President Tinubu assumed office when the country faced severe fiscal pressures, necessitating difficult choices including petrol subsidy removal and market-driven foreign exchange regime.
He argued that the reforms, despite initial difficulties, improved financial capacity of state governments, enabling them to meet salary and pension obligations and increase investments in developmental projects.
The APC scribe said improved fiscal position of many states represents important development in public finance management, urging stakeholders to help Nigerians understand the challenges and long-term objectives of reforms.
He challenged opposition leaders, who previously held influential positions to account for their records before presenting themselves as credible alternatives.
Basiru specifically criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning credibility of his economic prescriptions in view of his role in previous administrations, including privatisation and sale of national assets.
He cautioned Nigerians against unrealistic promises and politically motivated narratives by opposition figures ahead of 2027 elections.
Basiru urged former presiding officers to intensify public enlightenment, engage communities and ensure voters make informed decisions based on verifiable records and administration’s performance, stressing need for sustained mobilisation, strategic communication and unity to secure victory for Tinubu and the APC.
