President Bola Tinubu delivers his speech after taking the oath of office during his inauguration at Eagle Square in Abuja, Nigeria on May 29, 2023. Credit: Kola Sulaimon/AFP
- Meets Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Abbas, Kalu at Aso Villa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated governors who recently emerged as leaders of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) respectively.
His felicitation was contained in a statement from the State House on Thursday.
“I congratulate the Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on his emergence as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), and the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma, on his election as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
“In the same vein, I also congratulate His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, and his Kaduna State counterpart, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, on their elections as deputy chairmen for the two respective forums,” he said.
“Being called upon by their peers to lead them is a testament to the trust and confidence reposed in them by the governors,” President Tinubu added.
The President tasked the new leaders to use their tenures to advance the peace, unity, and socioeconomic development of the country and join hands with his administration to engender the Renewed Hope agenda.
“As chief executives of states, governors are critical to the overall success of our administration and the desire for a Nigeria that works for all,” Tinubu said.
“As an important fulcrum in our journey to a more prosperous and safe country, what states do or do not do matter a lot. I am therefore obliged to ask the new leaders to use their good offices to bring about a convergence of vision between the Federal Government, under my leadership, and governments at the state level.
“It is my prayer that you acquit yourselves diligently in discharging the responsibilities bestowed on you through this election.”
Meanwhile, the President met with Tajudeen Abbas and Ben Kalu, both contenders for the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions respectively.
The meeting came immediately after the President earlier met with the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also in the presidential Villa, Abuja.
His meeting with both sets is the first since he was sworn in as President.
It was believed that the President’s meeting with Lawan and Gbajabiamila dwelt on the forthcoming inauguration of the 10th National Assembly scheduled for June 13 and the eventual election of the leadership and principal officers of the federal legislature.
It is also believed that the meeting aimed at firming up the rumored choice of Hon Gbajabiamila for the office of the Chief of Staff to the President.
Meanwhile, the visit of the duo of Abass and Kalu is also believed to be linked with their ambitions to take the number one and two seats at the Lower Chamber of the National Assembly.
Abbas and Kalu have received the endorsement of their party, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) for the positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively.
The Guardian
