Tinubu: Our Policy Must Work for Nigerians, Not Punish Them

•Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to, says Ganduje

• APC National Legal Adviser resigns

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has said that the policies embarked upon by his administration must work for the people and not to punish them.

The president, who spoke at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday in Abuja, said they must find a way to satisfy the yearnings of the people. 

He said while the ruling party got the trophy by winning the election, the reward for hardwork is more work. 

His words: “The party has a responsibility to promote unity, stability and love among ourselves. And we have to fulfill your dreams and the dreams of our founding fathers. 

“To be sure that Nigeria remains the focal point of our domestic and foreign policies. You are the drivers of the party, when we have all other passengers, the drivers and co passenger must not fall asleep nor stop working. Party loyalty becomes very important. 

“Yes, we are facing challenges in the court but I think this is the most credible election in Nigeria. So, we must congratulate ourselves. As a democrat, those who cannot accept the results of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.”

Tinubu admitted that there are governance issues which the Federal Government was tackling head on.

He said: “We must oil the wheel, grease it. I have submitted ministerial list to the Senate for screening and approval. We are in the process of establishing fully the government of the people, for the people and by the people.

“I can see a number of my friends here and you have not been able to see me. It is what you all fought for to bring me here, we have governance issues and you will not see me often as you want to.”

The president noted that the country was going through some issues, which he had sufficiently addressed in his nationwide broadcast last Monday. 

Tinubu stated: “We will face it squarely to reengineer the economy of this country. We must find a way to satisfy the yearnings of the common man and we must ensure that all the policies we roll out work for the common man. Our policies are for the people not to punish the people.

“To the international community, I sent a message to Europe and America yesterday. To our partners, I ask how can you handle a barking dog and mad dog and prevent a barking dog from eating from the plate of your enemy. We are hungry and the continent depends on Nigeria. We need help but not at the expense of our joy, peace and happiness.

“The party is in your hand, let us redirect this party. Let us show the rest of the country that we are united for a purpose and if we vie from the path posterity will not forgive us.

“So, ladies and gentlemen let us take a few items on our plates, vote the chairman and secretary while we devolve some powers to NWC to fill the others after consultation. Let us do what we can today.”

Speaking, the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje, declared that under his watch, internal democracy would be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make the party functional throughout the year.

Ganduje assumed the position following the recent resignation of the former National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu and, and the former party’s National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The former governor, who is the sixth party chairman in 10 years, made the pledge after the NEC of the party named him chairman of the party.

The NEC, at its meeting held at Transcorp Hilton on Thursday in Abuja, also appointed former Senate spokesman, Ajibola Basiru, as the party’s National Secretary.

Ganduje assured the NEC that his main focus would be to promote party unity, defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats the party currently holds.

His words: “Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and making party functional throughout the year.

“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape.

“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis.”

Ganduje added that the challenges included unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.

He appealed to Nigerians to bear with the president at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years.

Ganduje stressed that he believed that the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr. President when his administration fully takes shape, would surely turn things around for the better.

He added: “Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.

“It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.

“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair.”

Ganduje called on members of the party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Imo State and the Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodinma, moved a motion to pass a vote of confidence on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the 2023 general election as the party’s official response to the “campaign of calumny” by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

The motion was seconded by the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

He said the opposition orchestrated the European Union (EU) report that faulted the 2023 elections.

According to him, “Recently they have started blackmailing INEC…they generated an EU report by the EU monitoring team, whose identity and address we don’t know. We condemn the campaign or calumny, the incitement of Nigerians and this type of campaign that is going on.

Similarly, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Ahmed El-Marzuk, has resigned from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

El-Marzuk, it was gathered, resigned his appointment on Wednesday, following the insistence by some of his colleagues that he could no longer be in office due to some allegations of corruption levelled against him.

THISDAY checks revealed that the former legal adviser had been visiting the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asking questions relating to financial misappropriation.

However, El-Marzuk in a statement issued Thursday, said his resignation was due to the reconfiguration of party offices for national cohesion and adequate regional representation.

He said: “In light of the recent developments within our great party the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the emergence of His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru as National Chairman and National Secretary and the reconfiguration of party offices for national cohesion and adequate regional representation, the National Legal Adviser found it pertinent that he resigns his position within the party to allow for a smooth reconfiguration of the party’s leadership.

“The National Legal Adviser thanks the president and the entire leadership of the party for the opportunity given to him to serve.”