Tag: tinubu

• Govt diversifying to agric, non-oil sector

• Abbas, Al-Makura lead Buhari’s men to pledge support

The economy has stabilised and the revenue target set for this year has been met since last month, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.

With the revenue situation, government has enough resources to carry out its programmes without borrowing, he added.

The President spoke when he received members of The Buhari Organisation (TBO) – leaders of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) – the political party formed by the late former President, which went into merger with others to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Today, I can stand here before you to brag, Nigeria is not borrowing. We have met our revenue target for the year, and we met it in August,” the President noted.

“The economy has stabilised; nobody is trading a piece of paper for an exchange rate anymore. When I took over, it was N1,900 to a dollar. It’s N1,450 now. Rates are stabilising now, you don’t have to know a CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) governor … all you have to do is export and import and create jobs for the people,” the President said.

 Tinubu reaffirmed that his administration’s priority remained fixing the economy, creating jobs, and bringing hope to Nigerians.

“First of all, we are fixing the economy, bringing hope to the people. That is what we are looking for, and that is who is here,” he said.

READ ALSO: Fed Govt: renewable energy open to local, foreign investors

 Emphasising his commitment to agriculture development, the President said his government had begun a massive mechanisation programme to make every region of the country benefit from modernised agricultural centres, training schemes and job creation opportunities.

According to him, the push for food sovereignty and security remains central to his Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA), with the ultimate intention of defeating poverty by eliminating hunger.

He dismissed the threats United States President, Donald Trump’s trade tariff pose to Nigeria’s economy, because Nigeria under him, is building a stronger, more diversified economy.

  “If non-oil revenue is going where it is going, then have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side,”  Tinubu said.

The delegation of TBO was led to Aso Villa by its leader, former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura. Also on the team was House Representatives Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.

 The President tanked TBO chieftains for their patience because of the delay in letting appointments go round those who worked for his victory in 2023.

“I couldn’t appoint everybody at once. Thank you for your patience. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that so many people are craving for. But it’s not easy stitching those names,” he explained.

The TBO members declared the “unconditional support” of CPC members for the President’s 2027 re-election ambition and his administration. 

The President, in an emotional recollection of his partnership with Buhari, promised to immortalise him   by building a “Buhari House.”

 Although the President did not say where the house would be situated, he said it would a “house of joy and prosperity.”

He paid tribute to late President  Buhari, recalling their early days of political struggle and alliance formation.

 “You (delegation members) brought back the memory of the beginning of the alliance when we sat down to fashion out the way to go. We disagreed to agree. We even argued over a symbol. He insisted on parliament, and I insisted on a broom. He was so stubborn,” Tinubu said as he remembered their partnership. 

He thanked the team for its loyalty, describing the team’s presence as a “sweet memory” and a reminder of the progressive ideals both leaders stood for.

“Don’t worry about the threats. When I see people like you, my determination is to work harder,” the President said, assuring them that his government would remain anchored on Buhari’s values of honesty, transparency, and justice.

TBO pledges support

 Thanking Tinubu for the honour he accorded the late President, Abbas and Al-Makuara, recalled the role he (Tinubu) played in their political mentor’s emergence as President.  

Abbas said: “Indeed, today is the first day that the former members of CPC gathered in large numbers to visit our President to show support and appreciation for what he has been doing. 

“I’m sure from the calibre of people you see here, you will be convinced that the notion that CPC is broken or not with this administration is a lie. More than 90 per cent of those who were active during the time of CPC are present.

 “The support you gave today, every CPC member is proud of. Even though when people wondered if CPC would win, with the combined effort of you, he (the late Buhari), and other party members, we were able to realise that dream of making him (Buhari) the President.” 

 The Speaker described the honour Tinubu accorded Buhari at his passing as unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.

 “It was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria for any former leader to be accorded such a kind of respect. The people you sent to the United Kingdom to pay the last respect and bring the body back, and the number of times you and the First Lady went to Katsina and Kaduna, are commendable. We appreciate all that you did and may the Almighty God reward you,” Abbas added.

Senator Al-Makura also expressed gratitude on behalf of TBO for the honour and dignity Tinubu accorded the  late President.

“When our leader passed on, the nation grieved and mourned. At that point, you became a symbol of consolation as you presided over the entire procedure of his passage. You not only buried Muhammadu Buhari but honoured him and ensured a befitting state burial with full military honours,” Al-Makura said.

He described Tinubu and Buhari’s alliance as one founded on discipline, justice and the pursuit of a united Nigeria rather than personal benefit.

“You were united by purpose and vision, not benefits. Together you conceptualised and built a foundation that makes the Renewed Hope Agenda a vision that is pragmatic, scientific and rewarding. This is not just a slogan but a blueprint for national restoration,” Al-Makura said.

He also pledged the group’s “full and unwavering support” for Tinubu’s administration and the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.

“Your Excellency, while commending you and your government for the efforts in promoting peace and unity despite challenges you met on the ground, we are urging you not to relent in ensuring that every part of this country is secure.

 ‘’Our loyalty and commitment to you and your government is irrevocable,” the former governor said.

…says non-oil revenues boosting confidence, dismisses Trump’s trade threats

…Buhari’s political family, Speaker Abbas, Al-Makura pledge total support for 2027

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday assured Nigerians that his administration had already met its 2025 revenue target well ahead of schedule, eliminating the need for borrowing to fund national expenditure. 

Speaking while receiving members of The Buhari Organisation (TBO), the political family of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, led by former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, at the State House, Abuja, the President also emphasised that Nigeria’s economic fundamentals had stabilised under his leadership.

“Today, I can stand here before you to brag, Nigeria is not borrowing. We have met our revenue target for the year and we met it in August,” Tinubu said, drawing applause from the delegation. 

He explained that his administration’s focus on non-oil revenue had paid off, with the sectors outside oil now driving confidence in the economy and reducing the country’s vulnerability to external shocks.

In a direct response to recent remarks by American President Donald Trump on trade, Tinubu dismissed fears of any adverse impact, stating that Nigeria was building a stronger, more diversified economy.

“If non-oil revenue is going where it is going, then have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side,” the President asserted. 

He noted that his government had just signed off on a massive mechanisation programme that would see every region of the country benefit from modernised agricultural centres, training schemes, and job creation opportunities. 

According to him, the push for food sovereignty and security remained central to his Renewed Hope Agenda, with the ultimate aim of defeating poverty by eliminating hunger.

“The economy is stabilised; nobody is trading piece of paper for exchange rate anymore. When I took over it was N1,900 to a dollar. It’s N1,450 now. Rates are stabilising now, you don’t have to know a CBN governor to… all you have to do is export and import and create jobs for the people,” he said.

Tinubu, in an emotional recollection, paid tribute to his late political ally, former President Muhammadu Buhari, recalling their early days of political struggle and alliance formation. 

“You brought back the memory of the beginning of the alliance. When we sat down to fashion out which way. We disagreed to agree. We even argued on symbol. He insisted on parliament and I insisted on broom. He’s so stubborn,” Tinubu said as he remembered their partnership that culminated in Buhari’s election victory in 2015.

He thanked the delegation for their loyalty, describing their presence as a “sweet memory” and a reminder of the progressive ideals both leaders stood for. 

“Don’t worry about the threats. When I see people like you, my determination is to work harder,” he said, assuring them that his government would remain anchored on Buhari’s values of honesty, transparency, and justice.

The President also promised to immortalise Buhari by building a “Buhari House,” which he described as a future “house of joy and prosperity.”

Addressing concerns about political appointments, Tinubu acknowledged the pressure from different quarters but urged patience. 

“I couldn’t appoint everybody at once and thank you for your patience. I still have some slots for ambassadorial positions that so many people are craving for. But it’s not easy stitching those names,” he explained.

He reaffirmed that his administration’s priority remained fixing the economy, creating jobs, and bringing hope to Nigerians. 

“First of all, we are fixing the economy, bringing hope to the people. That is what we are looking for and that is who is here,” he said.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who joined the delegation, declared the “unconditional support” of all former members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the party through which Buhari made his successful bid for the presidency in alliance with Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

“Indeed, today is the very first day that the former members of CPC gathered in large number to visit our President to show support and appreciation of what he has been doing,” Abbas said.

He emphasised that the narrative of division between the Buhari camp and the current administration was false. 

“I’m sure from the calibre of people you see here, you will be convinced that the notion that CPC is broken or not with this administration is a lie. More than 90 percent of those who were active during the time of CPC are present,” the Speaker noted.

Abbas praised Tinubu’s role in Buhari’s eventual electoral victory after several unsuccessful attempts, recalling the partnership formed in 2010. 

“That support you gave, today every CPC member is proud of. Even though when people wondered if CPC will win, with the combined effort of yourself, him, and other party members, we were able to realise that dream of making him the President,” he said.

He also commended the President for the unprecedented honour accorded Buhari at his passing. 

“It was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria for any former leader to be accorded such kind of respect. The people you sent to the United Kingdom to pay the last respect and bring the corpse back, and the number of times that you and the First Lady went to Katsina and Kaduna, are really commendable. We appreciate all that you did and may Almighty God reward you,” Abbas added.

The Speaker assured Tinubu that the CPC political family would not only stand with him now but would mobilise grassroots structures in every state, ward, and unit to support his administration and secure his re-election in 2027.

Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, who led the delegation, also expressed gratitude on behalf of The Buhari Organisation for the honour and dignity Tinubu accorded their late mentor. 

“When our leader passed on, the nation grieved and mourned. At that point, you became a symbol of consolation as you presided over the entire procedure of his passage. You did not only bury Muhammadu Buhari but honoured him and ensured a befitting state burial with full military honours,” Al-Makura said.

He described Tinubu and Buhari’s alliance as one founded on discipline, justice, and the pursuit of a united Nigeria rather than personal benefit. 

“You were united by purpose and vision, not benefits. Together you conceptualised and built a foundation that makes the Renewed Hope Agenda a vision that is pragmatic, scientific and rewarding. This is not just a slogan but a blueprint for national restoration,” he said.

Al-Makura pledged the group’s “full and unwavering support” for Tinubu’s administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

“Your Excellency, while commending you and your government for your efforts in promoting peace and unity despite the challenges you met on ground, we are urging you not to relent in ensuring every part of this country is secure. Our loyalty and commitment to you and your government is irrevocable,” he affirmed.