President Bola Tinubu Friday night said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was founded as a vehicle for national transformation that ensures that security reigns and poverty declined.
It was also established to be a home for anybody who wants to build a Nigeria where governance works and institutions function.
This is as he reminded party members that the APC is not merely a vehicle specially built to carry ambitious politicians to electoral victories.
The President, who stated this in his speech at the 4th elective national convention of his party at the Eagle Square, Abuja, said: “It was founded as a vehicle for national transformation, a home for anybody who wants to build a Nigeria where governance works, institutions function, opportunities abound, security reigns, poverty declines, and every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region or social status, can live with dignity and hope.”
According to him: “Thirteen years ago, we dared to dream differently and to act boldly when, as patriots, we set aside our political differences and came together for national redemption and to save our country from the economic doldrums into which the then-ruling party had plunged it.”
Tinubu said that the party was united around a shared belief: that the country can be greater and better served; and that democracy must work for every Nigerian and that leadership must be anchored in vision, discipline, justice, and development.”
He explained that the 4th Elective National Convention of the great party was not merely a gathering.
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“It is a defining chapter in the story of our democracy and our party. As a party, this Convention offers us the platform to renew our bond, strengthen our resolve, and recommit ourselves to the ideals that brought us together in the first place,” he said
” We gather under an inspiring and powerful theme, “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda. Unity in Progress, as the main theme, is a potent and timely reminder that progress is impossible without unity.”
He reiterated that “those who often lament and misunderstand us: we do not seek a one-party state. Democracy thrives on vibrant and healthy competition. As a statesman and political leader, I believe in a credible opposition—one that can challenge, question and help refine policies. That is how statecraft improves, and good governance is achieved. That is how nations advance.”
He said” this convention must send one clear message to Nigerians and the world: Our party is strong, united, focused and ready for the future.”
The President spoke on the reforms his administration has embarked upon and the initial hardship that has accompanied it.
” When Nigerians reaffirmed our leadership of the country as the governing party in 2023, we made a solemn promise to chart a new course for national renewal through the Renewed Hope Agenda. That agenda was not conceived as just another campaign slogan. It was conceived as a governing philosophy.
“We knew the road to reform would be tough. We knew rebuilding Nigeria would require courage, patience, and difficult decisions. But we also knew: no nation rises by hiding from the truth. No economy grows by sustaining wasteful subsidies or dysfunctional priorities. No future is built on perpetual self-denial.
” That is why we chose the path of reform, And I assure you: The sacrifices of today are laying the foundation for Nigeria’s prosperity tomorrow. Our leaders, party members, and supporters can take pride in the success we have achieved in redirecting our country.
“Since assuming office, our government has remained focused on delivering on its mandate to the Nigerian people. Despite the complex global economic and political environment and the fact that we are currently experiencing another unanticipated blowout arising from the US-Israeli-Iranian War, we have made notable strides.
“We have made strides in infrastructure development, including the construction of superhighways and concrete-and-steel roads.”