Tinubu hosts CPC members, says Nigeria not borrowing locally

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday met with founding members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Buhari Support Organization (TBO) at the Presidential Villa, declaring that his government has already met its revenue target and that the country is no longer borrowing locally. Tinubu told his guests that prudent fiscal management had […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday met with founding members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Buhari Support Organization (TBO) at the Presidential Villa, declaring that his government has already met its revenue target and that the country is no longer borrowing locally.

Tinubu told his guests that prudent fiscal management had stabilised the economy and assured them that reforms under his watch were laying the foundation for sustainable growth.

“Thank you for believing in me. The economy is stabilised. Nobody is trading pieces of paper for exchange rates anymore. When I took over, it was 1.9; now it is 1.35, 1.45. It has been stabilising there. People can now predict. You don’t have to know a ‘Cardoso’ (CBN governor) before you can access foreign exchange for your imports,” the president said.

He added that “What we need now is to build ships and vessels for the export and import of our goods, creating jobs for our people. That is the guarantee. I know many of you endured initial abuse and fears about where we were headed. But we know the direction. We are going up. Those who may not know will eventually understand.

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“Today, I stand before you to say Nigeria is not borrowing a dime from local banks. We have met our revenue target for the year — in August. I reviewed it this morning. Non-oil revenue is performing well. If non-oil revenue is strong, then we have no fear of whatever Trump is doing on the other side”.

On food security, the President announced a nationwide mechanisation programme, with farm centres in every region to raise productivity, ensure food sovereignty and lift millions out of poverty.

“I have just approved a major mechanisation programme that will establish agricultural centres across all regions. That is our path to food security. When you remove hunger from poverty, you defeat poverty. All I can promise is that where we started and where we are going is clear,” he said.

Tinubu urged supporters not to be distracted by political noise ahead of 2027, insisting his focus remains on reforms that guarantee prosperity.

“Your children’s education, the path to economic recovery, we are firmly on it. Go home with confidence. Do not let anyone frighten you with uncertainty. We are certain we will succeed. That is what we believe. The honesty of Buhari, which we inherited, is total commitment to justice, transparency and progress. That is all. You will have joy at the end of this journey.”

He also disclosed plans to build a “Buhari House” as a house of joy and prosperity.

 

CPC members pledge re-election support

Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, in his remarks, said the calibre of attendees showed that the claim that the CPC bloc was “broken or not with this administration” was false.

The delegation, led by former Nasarawa governor and CPC leader Tanko Al-Makura, included Katsina governor Dikko Umar Radda; Niger governor Umar Bago; Kebbi governor Nasir Idris; former Katsina governor Bello Masari; ex-communications minister Adebayo Shittu; former APC national secretary Waziri Bulama; Prof. Haruna Hima; Senator Abu Ibrahim; former deputy minority whip Garba Datti Mohammed; Ibrahim Baba; ex-CPC governorship candidate and RMAFC commissioner Mary Efere; former CPC governorship candidate Chris Bukuma; ex-lawmaker Farouk Adamu Aliyu; CPC pioneer organising secretary Raza Zakari; former CPC national vice chairman Lucy Ibe, and APC merger negotiator Ayuba Baba.

“We want to seize this opportunity to thank you for the support you gave our late President, who attempted to be president several times until God answered his prayer when you partnered with him in 2010,” Abbas said.

“With the combined efforts of you, Buhari and other party members, we realised the dream of making him president. Mr. President, we also thank you for the unprecedented support you gave his family after his death. It was historic in Nigeria.

“On behalf of former CPC members, I assure you that CPC in every state will return home and mobilise for Asiwaju in our states. That movement will cascade to wards and units nationwide. We will keep building support for you and by 2027, Insha Allah, CPC members will be at the forefront of your re-election,” he added.

Al-Makura also assured Tinubu of loyalty, pledging the bloc’s support for his reforms and the APC legacy.

Speaking for the delegation, he said: “We are with you in loyalty, in person and in purpose. May Almighty God grant you wisdom and strength to continue leading our nation.”

Commending Tinubu for steering Nigeria through tough times, Al-Makura lauded him for honouring the memory of their late leader and mentor, Muhammadu Buhari. He described Tinubu and Buhari as visionary leaders whose alliance laid the foundation for justice, equity and renewal through the APC.

“Mr. President, you and Buhari shared more than a political alliance; you shared a vision of a Nigeria built on justice, economic sovereignty and good governance. Together, you built a platform that remains our pride and cause,” he said.

 

Why we met Tinubu – Farouk Adamu

Speaking later on Channels TV, former lawmaker Farouk Adamu explained that the visit was mainly to thank the president “for what he did when our leader President Muhammadu Buhari died.

“What came out clearly is that APC is one family. The unity that brought CPC, ANPP, ACN and the new PDP together is still intact. He assured us he would continue working with everyone to keep government united as one family, one party.

“He (Tinubu) also said our visit brought nostalgic memories of his bond with the late president and their struggles together. We came as APC, and we are proud of the president. He is a product of our collective effort — Buhari first, then him. We are proud of him and this government.”

Asked if they raised concerns about CPC being sidelined in power-sharing, Adamu said: “That wasn’t why we went. It was purely a courtesy visit to express gratitude. What he did for the country, for us, for our leader, was monumental. But of course, I met him two weeks ago in the Villa, where we discussed CPC-related issues. We don’t feel left out. Remember, we have four governors.”

Adamu also criticised ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate Datti Baba-Ahmed for attacking the government over insecurity.

“Of course there are challenges, but let me beg my brother Nuhu Ribadu not to join issues with El-Rufai and Datti. He’s beyond that. Let others respond, because they are playing politics.

“There are challenges, yes, but is the government acting? Yes. Opposition always criticises. When we were in opposition, we said all sorts of things.”

When asked if Tinubu’s government was complicit, as Jonathan’s was once accused, Adamu replied: “No, certainly not. Yes, there are security issues in some areas, but not as bad as people claim. Otherwise, you and I would not be walking the streets.”

Earlier, Datti Baba-Ahmed had said he agreed with El-Rufai’s claim of government complicity in insecurity, but maintained

El-Rufai could not be absolved of blame.

Asked whether the president is aware of the worsening insecurity in the country and what assurances he gave the delegation, Adamu said, “He is in touch with the realities of the situation. When we left him, a delegation from Katsina State went in to continue discussions on insecurity. Last week too, when I met him, that was the main issue we discussed the insecurity and agitation in the North.

“He said, ‘Look, I know there are many issues. Some I know, some I don’t. Honourable, this place I am sitting is a prison. I want you to understand that there are certain things you will not know.’

“I pitied him; I sympathised. I understood. Truly, when you are president, there are certain things you don’t know and every problem of this country, are heaped on the president.

“Now, let me concede that some of the things we attributed to Jonathan then were not correct. I now realise it is true when you are in that office, there are exigencies that come with the work. So you need to tread softly, softly.

“Yes, Mr President is in a kind of prison, because there are certain stories and realities that will never reach him.”