The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has defended the reform agenda of President Bola Tinubu, saying the administration’s policies are designed to secure Nigeria’s long-term economic stability and sustainable development despite the short-term hardships they may impose.
Akume, represented by his Senior Assistant (Technical), Prof. Babatunde Bolaji Benard, stated this on Tuesday at a one-day conference on the development of the North-Central region under the Renewed Hope Agenda in Abuja.
According to him, President Tinubu has demonstrated political courage by implementing difficult but necessary reforms aimed at repositioning the country for future prosperity rather than pursuing policies with immediate political benefits.
He acknowledged that some of the administration’s initiatives may not produce instant results but insisted that patience would ultimately yield dividends.
Benard likened the reforms to cooking beans, noting that although the process takes time, the eventual outcome would justify the wait.
He cited programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to economic expansion and national integration.
Among the key projects highlighted were the Calabar-Abuja highway corridor and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, which he said would improve transportation networks, facilitate commerce and stimulate economic activities across the country.
North-Central youths endorse Tinubu for 2027
At the conference, a coalition of youths under the aegis of the North Central Agenda endorsed President Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its convener, Dr. Ene Ogbole, said the North-Central region had witnessed significant progress in infrastructure, education, agriculture and security since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
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She listed major road projects, including the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Super Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri Highway, the Suleja-Minna Dual Carriageway and the Lokoja-Okene Dualisation with the Makurdi-Aliade-Otukpo Road, as indicators of the administration’s commitment to the region.
Ogbole also commended interventions through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and NELFUND, as well as security measures that, according to her, have enabled many farmers to return to their farms.
She pledged that the coalition would mobilise support across the North-Central geopolitical zone to ensure Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
APC group dismisses criticism of Muslim-Muslim ticket
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group, Dr. Umar Tanko Yakasai, rejected renewed criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Yakasai argued that Nigerians had already settled the issue during the 2023 presidential election, noting that Tinubu secured victory despite opposition to the ticket.
He further maintained that the President’s appointments reflected Nigeria’s diversity, accusing critics of attempting to shift attention away from what he described as the administration’s achievements.
