IT was President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural meeting with the leaders and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, the main vehicle for his 2027 re-election campaign. Held on Thursday April 16 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President delivered an outstanding speech at the meeting, challenging the ambassadors to boldly discharge their assignment while sparing no word for the opposition that is riding roughshod on the country’s legal system.
“You represent the conscience of a nation that wants to break the shackles of poverty and hopelessness. This is a lifetime opportunity to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance,’’ the President told the ambassadors, adding, “we cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court; we must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not.
“We submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers, and understanding of the dynamics of it, and the nationhood that Nigeria is, that we must build one country. That’s what Renewed Hope is all about. You must give them that hope. There’s no other path for us to attain national greatness other than to build one common vision for the progress and prosperity of our people. That is what we must do,’’ he added.
In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, All Progressives Congress National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Deputy Director-General and Governor of Kaduna State Uba Sani and RHA National Secretary and Governor of Gombe State Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya. Also at the event were Governors Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Monday Okpebholo (Edo).
What the RNH leaders and ambassadors say at the event is both interesting and inspiring.
Governor Uzodinma:
“Our purpose is to brief Mr President on how far we have gone with this national assignment, to present the substance of the work already done, and to reaffirm that the structure he graciously created is not only alive but active, coordinated, and already creating measurable political and civic dividends across the nation.
“At the regional level, activities have begun in earnest. All the structures of all the local governments have been inaugurated, as in the electoral wards. We have kick–started the process of enumeration up to the polling unit level. We are continuously harvesting data during enrolment, taking the messages to the markets, schools and professional groups, women platforms and faith-based and grassroots political structures.”
Deputy DG and Kaduna Governor Uba Sanni:
“We have all it takes to take the message of renewed hope to every ward, local government and state. We have not done enough. I believe we have to do more. We have to continue telling our story. If we don’t tell our story, other people will tell the story their own way.
“No President in the history of Nigeria has supported the sub-nationals like President Tinubu. The opposition is not out to contest election; their agenda is anarchy. And that is the reason why governors, ministers, LG chairmen must take the message of renewed hope to the grassroots. We in the North are the major beneficiaries. And the ministers, heads of agencies must speak out.”
RHA Secretary and Gombe Governor Inuwa:
“We have what it takes, and we must deliver. All the ambassadors should go out. Governor Biodun Oyebanji spoke of President Tinubu’s support for the sub-nationals and how he is lucky to be a governor at this time. I was governor before 2023 and I’m governor now doing my second term, I know the difference better because I have experienced the two periods.”
RHA North-West Zonal Coordinator and former Governor of Katsina State Aminu Masari:
“We know very well that reformers are always finding it extremely difficult at the beginning. More especially, if you are reforming in a society that is very difficult to understand, and some are willing to make people not to understand.”
Commending President Tinubu for taking hard but necessary reforms that leaders before him could not, he said: “Nigeria has become better for it. You have done so much, Mr President, but don’t allow noisemakers to distract you. Your bashings are not for you alone. Even your detractors know that you have done well.
“Will anyone come tomorrow and say he will reverse the removal of fuel subsidy or return the nation to multiple foreign exchange rates?”
Ex-Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim:
“We are aware of the strategic importance of our assignment. The opposition is orchestrating mischief through misinformation and fake news. But we are ahead of them.
“The appointment of a political field marshal like Governor Uzodimma as Director-General is also strategic. A dynamic team leader, with him we are in the right direction.”
Ex-Nasarawa Governor Tanko AlMakura:
“No President was as prepared for the job as President Tinubu. That is why his policies were well thought out and redeeming the country.
With the government’s policies and RH agenda, we have all become homogenous in our commitment to the success of this administration”.
Former Delta Governor Okowa:
“President Tinubu has re-engineered the economy. The sub-national governments can now breathe and breathe well.
“The best way to educate our children is to give them education, sound education, Mr. President thank you for giving us the student loan scheme, NELFUND. Thank you for bringing this about. As of March this year, 1.16 million students had benefitted according to official statistics.
Others who spoke at the event included APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State.
- Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, is the Director of Communications, Renewed Hope Ambassadors