President Tinubu Addresses Renewed Hope Ambassadors at Inaugural Meeting
President Bola Tinubu held his first meeting with the leaders and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA), the primary organization for his 2027 re-election campaign. The gathering took place on Thursday, April 16, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. During the event, President Tinubu delivered a powerful speech, urging the ambassadors to carry out their duties with courage and to stand firm against opposition forces that are challenging the country's legal system.
Tinubu's Call for National Unity and Democratic Principles
In his address, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity and adherence to democratic values. He stated, "You represent the conscience of a nation that wants to break the shackles of poverty and hopelessness. This is a lifetime opportunity to break the shackles of poverty and ignorance." He further stressed the need to respect judicial orders, saying, "We cannot submit to disobedience of a lawful order of the court; we must embrace the judiciary, whether it favours us or not."
The President highlighted that the core of the Renewed Hope agenda is about building a cohesive nation. He explained, "We submit to this principle of democracy, separation of powers, and understanding of the dynamics of it, and the nationhood that Nigeria is, that we must build one country. That's what Renewed Hope is all about. You must give them that hope. There's no other path for us to attain national greatness other than to build one common vision for the progress and prosperity of our people."
Key Attendees and Their Statements
The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and several state governors. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who serves as the Director-General of RHA, provided an update on the campaign's progress. He reported, "Our purpose is to brief Mr. President on how far we have gone with this national assignment, to present the substance of the work already done, and to reaffirm that the structure he graciously created is not only alive but active, coordinated, and already creating measurable political and civic dividends across the nation."
Governor Uzodimma detailed the grassroots efforts, noting, "At the regional level, activities have begun in earnest. All the structures of all the local governments have been inaugurated, as in the electoral wards. We have kick-started the process of enumeration up to the polling unit level. We are continuously harvesting data during enrollment, taking the messages to the markets, schools and professional groups, women platforms and faith-based and grassroots political structures."
Governors Emphasize Campaign Outreach and Support for Tinubu
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, the Deputy Director-General of RHA, emphasized the need for extensive outreach. He said, "We have all it takes to take the message of renewed hope to every ward, local government and state. We have not done enough. I believe we have to do more. We have to continue telling our story. If we don't tell our story, other people will tell the story their own way." He also praised President Tinubu's support for sub-national governments, stating, "No President in the history of Nigeria has supported the sub-nationals like President Tinubu."
Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, the RHA National Secretary, echoed this sentiment, asserting, "We have what it takes, and we must deliver. All the ambassadors should go out." Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State highlighted Tinubu's backing for state governments, mentioning how fortunate he feels to be a governor during this administration.
Former Leaders Commend Tinubu's Reforms
Aminu Masari, the RHA North-West Zonal Coordinator and former governor of Katsina State, acknowledged the challenges of reform. He remarked, "We know very well that reformers are always finding it extremely difficult at the beginning. More especially if you are reforming in a society that is very difficult to understand, and some are willing to make people not to understand." He commended President Tinubu for implementing tough but necessary reforms, adding, "Nigeria has become better for it. You have done so much, Mr. President, but don't allow noisemakers to distract you."
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim addressed the opposition's tactics, saying, "We are aware of the strategic importance of our assignment. The opposition is orchestrating mischief through misinformation and fake news. But we are ahead of them." He praised the appointment of Governor Uzodimma as Director-General, calling it a strategic move.
Former governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, noted, "No President was as prepared for the job as President Tinubu. That is why his policies were well thought out and redeeming the country." Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa highlighted economic improvements, stating, "President Tinubu has re-engineered the economy. The sub-national governments can now breathe and breathe well." He also thanked the President for initiatives like the student loan scheme, NELFUND, which has benefited 1.16 million students as of March this year.
Conclusion
The meeting underscored the Renewed Hope Ambassadors' commitment to advancing President Tinubu's agenda and countering opposition narratives. With detailed reports on grassroots mobilization and strong endorsements from political leaders, the event highlighted the ongoing efforts to secure support for the 2027 election. The ambassadors are poised to continue their work, driven by Tinubu's vision for a unified and prosperous Nigeria.
