Be governors of example, Atiku tells APC governors-elect

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asked All Progressives Congress (APC’s) governors-elect to “be governors of example” as their action or inaction will determine the direction of the party’s change agenda.

Atiku, who spoke in Abuja at a meeting of the Progressives Governors Forum, said being example of change will change Nigerian for good, adding that they must be humble in the dealing with Nigerians and “not like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)”.

The former vice president paid tributes to five former governors of the party, who have completed their tenure of office, stressing that their doggedness and leadership style have showed what an APC government will do in the country.

According to him, “I enjoin all our incoming governors to be governors of example. If they do so, Nigeria will be changed for good. We must be humble in all our dealings with Nigerians; not like PDP. We must have candour; lead them by example and plea for their patience when necessary. If we are transparent and honest with them, they will give us their support.

“As we ponder what the agenda of the incoming government will be within the context of the party’s manifesto, we need not go too far from where to begin. We only need to look at what the governors of examples have done and seek to improve on them and avoid some of the challenges they face.

“We must avoid becoming the PDP of our recent history; we must avoid the very things that brought the PDP to its knees, such as winner takes all, greed, arrogance, impunity, corruption, treachery and so on. We must try to be a better party and better managers of our beloved country.”

On the outgoing governors, Atiku said: “I am extremely pleased to congratulate my friends, Governor Rotimi Ameachi, Babatunde Fashola, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto for successfully completing their tenures as governors of Rivers, Lagos, Kano and Sokoto states.

“Governor Fashola and his predecessor, Governor Tinubu helped to legitimise the progressive governors in the Southwest and by extension Nigeria since we return to civil rule in 1999.

“Nobody would again wonder what an APC government could do in office. In the Southsouth, Governor Ameachi and later Oshiomhole showed what an APC government will look like and so also is the sitting governor in the Southeast in the person of Governor of Imo State and Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum, Anayo Rochas Okorocha.

“Up North, Governors Kwankwaso and Wamako have been shining examples of what Progressives Governors could do as well as what Ameachi did there in Rivers under the platform of PDP before the environment in that party (PDP) made it difficult for them to continue to bring positive change to their people and Nigeria.”

He lauded the Progressives Governors Forum for organising the retreat.

Governors of APC have agreed to implement uniform programmes as contained in the party’s manifestoes.

A communiqué released after their retreat said the governors agreed:

“That all those who hold leadership positions in the party are ready to instigate the right followership that will produce results. That the Nigerian economy needs to be diversified, especially towards agriculture.

“That the country cannot decide to entirely ban importations of foreign products, but look for ways to create a competitive market with those products that are being imported.”

The APC governors also agreed that from the day of inauguration, the activities of the progressives will determine the stature of the party for the future; “hence the need for all to begin works that will speak, rather than a replication of promises.”