June 29, a day after the Sallah celebration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with Nigerian governors in Lagos and appealed to them to join him in fixing the country’s economy.
With the president kicking off his 30th day in office and getting busy, Tinubu reiterated his intention to maintain an open-door policy.
The President began the day by paying quick visits to two important traditional leaders in Ogun State, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo in Abeokuta, and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu Ode, to express gratitude for their support during the election period.
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted a lavish reception at the Government House in Marina for the President after his return to Lagos.
The event was attended by governors from all political parties, leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and members of the National Assembly.
Another notable moment of the occasion was when Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Sanwo-Olu, the President’s three successors, presented a gift to the President, the first Lagos State Governor of the fourth republic, in conjunction with the gift-giving ceremony.
Ambode and Tinubu were spotted together for the first time since the latter left office in 2015.
The President assured the governors, led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), that with their assistance and the audacious measures he is taking, Nigerians would have a better future and that the promise of the Renewed Hope would be kept.
The President claims that:
“I pledge to collaborate with the governors under an open-door policy to rebuild Nigeria’s crumbling economy. Be prepared, governors”.
“I have a plan for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and the rest of the week, and I want us to work together to save and restore our nation.”
In addition, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to party members for their support throughout his arduous and protracted ascent to the presidency. He also specifically acknowledged the presence of Akinwunmi Ambode and prayed for him.
AbdulRazaq, speaking on behalf of NGF, promised that state governors, irrespective of their political affiliations, were prepared to collaborate and work with Tinubu to make Nigeria better and safer for all Nigerians.
The President and Vice President are both former members of the Governors’ Forum, he declared, which makes NGF happy. We are dedicated to working with a federalist who fought to implement a truly federal system. Regardless of our parties, we once again support the renewed hope agenda.
Hope Uzodimma (Imo), the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), led the APC governors at the reception.
Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State Duoye Diri and the Labour Party (LP) in Abia State Alex Otti respectively.
Other governors in attendance included Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarrawa), Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and acting governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).
The National Assembly’s resolve to collaborate amicably with the President was reaffirmed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who told the President: “The National Assembly belongs to you and all Nigerians.”
Lagos is proud of you, the governor of Nigeria, said to Tinubu. He also expressed confidence in the president’s capacity to provide effective leadership.
Babatunde Fashola, a former minister of housing and works, emphasized once more the importance of the president’s support.
“The presidency of Nigeria is not a one-man show. He should be encouraged to succeed.
“I urge the governors to support the policies that the president will introduce because six of his policies from his time as governor of Lagos have proven effective and have been adopted in other states.”
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, former Kano State Abdullahi Ganduje, and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro are among the dignitaries present at the event.
The other members are the APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
Alhaji Rasak Okoya and Alhaji Aliko Dangote led the business community. There were also Awori royal fathers in attendance at the reception.
