By Mercy Peter
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State to unite behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and support efforts to consolidate gains recorded under the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms.
Idris made the call on Thursday in Abuja when he received the chairmen of the APC across the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State, who paid him a solidarity visit.
The Minister said the support of party leaders at the grassroots was critical to sustaining the administration’s reform agenda and ensuring that the gains recorded in the economy, security, infrastructure, education and human capital development translated into lasting national development.
“All of us must join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu so that he can consolidate on the gains that we have already achieved and put Nigeria on a sound economic footing,” Idris said.
He recalled that the Tinubu administration inherited what he described as a difficult economic and security situation when it assumed office in May 2023, with the country’s economic foundation under severe pressure and insecurity affecting the lives, livelihoods and economic activities of Nigerians.
According to him, the situation has changed significantly, with the Federal Government now having greater fiscal capacity to undertake developmental projects across the country.
“It is very easy to forget where we were coming from, but today that situation has changed significantly. We now have the fiscal headroom to undertake the developmental projects that Nigerians are seeing across the country,” he said.
Idris said the removal of the fuel subsidy, although difficult, had freed additional resources for the Federal Government and state governments to channel into critical sectors of the economy.
He listed agriculture, road construction, healthcare, education and youth development among areas benefiting from the additional resources generated through the reforms.
The Minister also said the administration’s economic policies were gradually restoring investor confidence in Nigeria, noting that investors were returning to the country while foreign businesses operating in Nigeria were gaining improved capacity to repatriate their earnings.
He said the development was an indication that the reforms were strengthening confidence in Nigeria’s economy and creating conditions for increased investment and economic activity.
On infrastructure, Idris highlighted major projects being undertaken by the Federal Government, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
He added that federal road construction and rehabilitation projects were ongoing across the states of the federation, describing infrastructure development as an important component of the administration’s efforts to stimulate economic growth and improve connectivity.
The Minister also addressed the country’s security situation, acknowledging that significant challenges remained but maintaining that Nigeria was making gradual progress towards restoring normalcy.
“Are we yet there? No. Do we still have challenges? Yes. But are we seeing a progressive journey towards the restoration of normalcy in this country? Yes,” he said.
Idris urged Nigerians to recognise the progress being made while continuing to support efforts to address the remaining security challenges.
He also highlighted the Federal Government’s investment in education and youth development, particularly through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
According to him, the scheme has enabled more than one million young Nigerians to access tertiary education by reducing the financial burden associated with tuition and upkeep.
He described the initiative as part of the administration’s broader effort to expand access to education and invest in the country’s human capital.
Beyond education, Idris said the administration was expanding opportunities in agriculture, the non-oil sector and solid minerals as part of its strategy to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on traditional sources of government revenue.
He added that regional development commissions were also being deployed to bring development closer to communities and enable regions to identify and address their specific development needs.
The Minister, however, stressed that the sustainability of the administration’s programmes would require political unity and effective grassroots mobilisation.
He therefore urged APC leaders in Niger State to maintain unity within the party and resolve internal disagreements through dialogue rather than allowing differences to undermine the party’s objectives.
Idris said the party must remain focused on strengthening the Tinubu administration and sustaining the development agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the progress recorded since 2023 provides a foundation upon which greater achievements can be built if the reforms are sustained and consolidated.
He urged Nigerians to support the continuation of the reforms, warning against returning to what he described as the period of economic and security uncertainty that preceded the current administration.
“Any attempt to take us back to those times of uncertainty must be rejected by all Nigerians,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Chairmen of the APC in the 25 Local Government Areas of Niger State and leader of the delegation, Hon. Hashimu Izom, said the delegation visited the Minister to congratulate him on his achievements, appreciate President Tinubu for appointing him to the Federal Executive Council and commend his representation of Niger State at the national level.
Izom said the delegation was particularly pleased with the Minister’s contributions to the development and unity of Niger State, as well as his support for projects and initiatives that benefit the people of the state.
He commended Idris for using his position at the federal level to represent the interests of Niger State while supporting the President’s administration.
“We are proud of you, not because you are Mohammed Idris Malagi, but because you are a bona fide Nigerite who stands everywhere to defend Mr. President and represents Niger State even at the national level,” Izom said.
He said the APC local government chairmen remained committed to supporting the administration and strengthening the party at the grassroots.
The solidarity visit provided an opportunity for the party leaders to reaffirm their support for the Minister and the Tinubu administration, while underscoring the importance of grassroots mobilisation, party unity and sustained implementation of government policies ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
The Minister’s appeal comes as the APC and its leaders continue efforts to consolidate the party’s structures across the country and build support for the administration’s reform agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.
