“Continue doing what you are doing. And do more for the people,” Tinubu appealed on Monday night while hosting governors, members of the Federal Executive Council, Service Chiefs and heads of select ministries, departments, and agencies to an Iftar dinner at the State House in Abuja.
Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed Tinubu’s parley with his guests in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu urges governors, political leaders to focus on the poor, vulnerable.’
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu emphasised the importance of selfless leadership and urged those in government to ensure that public resources are used to improve the lives of citizens.
“I thank you all for responding to this invitation. You honoured it out of respect, not because you don’t have enough to eat or share,” he said.
The President argued that meeting the expectations of Nigerians required commitment and collaborative efforts.
He also commended both the federal and state governments for implementing people-oriented policies that are beginning to yield positive results.
The President attributed the success of ongoing economic reforms to the collective contributions of members of the Federal Executive Council and cooperation from state governments.
“I recall in our first FEC meeting, I said we were going to work hard to fetch water from a dry well.
“We are still working hard to ensure that there is water to drink and that we spend money, not the people.
“You, the leaders at the subnational levels, are also doing all you can to spend money, not the people,” Tinubu stated.
The President urged political leaders to embrace a long-term vision and work towards a legacy that history would remember positively.“Look at yourselves as navigators that will bring the country to the promised land.
Standing here as President is a great honour, and you can’t trade it.
Tinubu also called for unity, emphasising that Nigeria should be seen as one big family living under the same roof, regardless of religious or ethnic differences.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, thanked the President for the bold and decisive reform of the Nigerian economy.
The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, who led the Christian prayers, said, “It is no coincidence that Muslims and Christians are fasting at the same time.”
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, noted that the prices of goods and foodstuffs were steadily dropping.
