President Bola Tinubu has urged governors of the six North-East states to intensify efforts in tackling terrorism and banditry, declaring that Nigeria has achieved economic stability and entered what he described as a “golden age.”
The President made the remarks on Thursday while receiving a delegation of political leaders, traditional rulers and senior government officials from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Addressing the delegation, Tinubu stressed that stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments was crucial to overcoming the region’s security challenges.
“I could see the leadership of the North-East challenged because of terrorism and banditry. We must continue to work together. Only when we stick together, think together and face these challenges as a united country can we prevail,” he said.
The President also expressed optimism about the country’s economic direction, saying his administration had laid the foundation for lasting stability.
“The golden age is here now. If we can stabilise the economy, Nigerians are not asking for too much—just stability and social welfare. We have our hands on the plough, and we are never going to look back,” Tinubu stated.
He assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to strengthening democracy, national unity and economic prosperity.
Highlighting infrastructure development in the North-East, Tinubu pointed to the ongoing Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway project, saying it fulfilled a major campaign promise to improve connectivity in the region.
He also said his government was addressing pension arrears inherited from previous administrations.
“I am clearing the mess created before me, but I won’t complain,” the President told pensioners present at the meeting.
Tinubu further paid tribute to former Vice President Babagana Kingibe, recalling their political relationship dating back to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the Third Republic.
Earlier, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, who led the delegation as Chairman of the North-East Governors Forum, said the visit was to express appreciation to Tinubu for retaining Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
According to Zulum, the decision demonstrated Tinubu’s commitment to rewarding loyalty, competence and dedication.
He also thanked political leaders from the North-Central and North-West for supporting the President’s decision to retain a North-East candidate as vice-presidential nominee.
The governor commended Tinubu’s administration for infrastructure projects, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, and investments in education, agriculture and job creation across the region.
Reaffirming the North-East’s political support, Zulum pledged that the region would back Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election.
“By God’s grace, the North-East will massively deliver your ticket and all APC candidates because we believe in your leadership and share your vision for Nigeria,” he said.
Former Vice President Babagana Kingibe also declared his support for the Tinubu administration, saying respected political leaders remained influential voices within their communities despite staying away from daily media attention.
The delegation included former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), former governors, senators, APC leaders, traditional rulers including the Shehu of Borno and the Emir of Gombe, as well as former ambassadors and other prominent stakeholders from the North-East
Comments