The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has dismissed reports attributing to him a claim that by 2027, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would control 30 governorship seats, leaving only six to the opposition.
Idris clarified that the remark was made by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda Nentawe, not him. The minister stressed that, as the federal government’s spokesperson, he could not have made such a partisan statement.
Speaking at the Progressives Governors’ Summit for Commissioners of Information in APC-controlled states, held in Maiduguri, Borno State, Idris urged information commissioners to recognise the critical role of strategic communication in nation-building — especially at a time when information is being weaponised against Nigeria.
“In an era where information is both a tool of development and a weapon of conflict, you are the architects of public understanding and the first line of defense for our nation’s integrity,” he said.
Idris warned of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at falsely portraying Nigeria as a “genocide destination,” calling it a dangerous narrative designed to incite panic, divide the country, and deter foreign investment.
He charged the commissioners to counter such narratives with verifiable facts, expert analysis, and stories of national unity, stressing that government communicators must “master the digital battlefield” through tools like the upcoming UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja.
The minister also announced that President Bola Tinubu would soon unveil the National Values Charter, developed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to promote patriotism and strengthen unity among Nigerians.
Highlighting the achievements of the Tinubu administration, Idris said the president’s reforms — including subsidy removal, naira floatation, and fiscal discipline — have stabilised the economy, boosted non-oil exports, improved trade balance, and raised external reserves above $42 billion, the highest in six years.
He noted that Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23% in the second quarter of 2025, while more than 600,000 students now benefit from the new student loan scheme.
Other milestones include the creation of new regional development commissions, a Ministry of Livestock Development, and the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP).
“President Tinubu’s near-term vision is to take Nigeria into the trillion-dollar economic club,” Idris said, urging the commissioners to “tell the story of progress loudly and confidently.”
He added that Nigeria recorded an all-time high power generation of 5,801 megawatts in March 2025, with plans to decentralise the national grid for greater efficiency.
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