By Mathew Dadiya & Jude Opara, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu, yesterday told the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly elected officials, to be steadfastly committed to good governance which will re-engineer the economic and political landscape of the nation to address the needs of the poor.

The President spoke yesterday at the 12th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party where former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and Senator Basiru Ajibola emerged as the new National Chairman and National Secretary respectively.

Tinubu pledged that his administration would continue to ensure that all government programmes benefit and uplift the masses of the country rather than bringing more pain, emphasizing that “party loyalty must exist.

The President, who addressed the NEC meeting for the first time since his election victory in February, emphasized that winning the election is just the beginning of a longer progressive journey while noting that responsive and accountable governance is a separate challenge that requires continuous effort.

“We are in the process of establishing fully a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. It is in my time that the subsidy has been removed, and it is now upon us to satisfy the yearnings of the poor in a larger, restructured economy,” President Tinubu declared.

He urged party members to promote unity, stability, and camaraderie forged in common purpose among themselves, reiterating that nurturing the party should start from the grassroots level.

The President also called on the party faithful to train its sights squarely on development and prosperity for the country, adding that his administration is poised to build international trade partnerships across sectors that will benefit, not just the national coffers, but the wallets and accounts of the Nigerian people.

On the general acceptance of the outcome of the presidential election, the President defended the legitimacy of the election and echoed his earlier stated position that those who do not accept the outcome of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.

“We have worked hard, and we have received the trophy. Winning an election is the first part of the process. What is next is good governance and quality service delivery. We must promote unity, peace, and love among all organs of the party.

“You are the makers and drivers of the party. When we have all passengers inside the bus, the driver must not fall asleep. The brake must also work well. Party loyalty must exist.

“As I always say, those who cannot accept the result of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory,” he said.

On the main agenda of the NEC meeting, which appointed new External Auditors to audit party accounts and filled the vacant offices of National Chairman and National Secretary, the President urged the NEC of the party to devolve some of its powers to the National Working Committee (NWC) to fill other vacancies in the party.

This request was sequel to a motion moved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and seconded by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who doubles as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).

The President had noted that during the last NEC meeting of April 20, 2022, the NEC of the party had ceded some of its powers to NWC for the smooth party operations and he thanked them for effectively utilizing that mandate.

In his welcome address, the Acting National Chairman, Sen. Abubakar Kyari said the ruling party was conscious of the new challenges facing it as the majority party at the sub-national level and in the National Assembly.

Paying tribute to the founding members of the party, Kyari said the party had achieved significant milestones that have made a positive impact on Nigerians since its establishment ten years ago.

He congratulated the President, the Vice President and all elected party members on their election victory, describing the recent election of the Nigerian leader to the ECOWAS Chairmanship as a foreign policy triumph for Nigeria.

“The nation is happy with you for your bold and courageous decisions,”’ he told the President, adding that the policies the administration has pursued in the last two months have laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of Nigeria.

He promised that the party would continue to stand with the President, “no matter the complexities of the challenges ahead.”

Ganduje Emerges National Chairman

The immediate past governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdulahi Ganduje yesterday became the acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ganduje replaces the former acting National Chairman, Sen. Abubakar Kyari who earlier took over from the former National Chairman, Sen. Abdulahi Adamu, who resigned his position last month.

 Kyari, who was the National Deputy Chairman (North) had to vacate office after he was nominated as a minister designate.

Similarly, Sen. Ajibola Basiru emerged as the National Secretary of the party. He replaces Sen. Iyiola Omisore who also resigned his position last month.

At a special National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Ganduje said his main focus will be on party unity, defending the party and also to increase the number of states and seats it controls at both the National and State Houses of Assemby.

“Our main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats we currently hold.

“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and making party functional throughout the year.

“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape.

“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively” to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis including unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living”.

He equally appealed to Nigerians to keep faith with the present administration, promising that President Bola Tinubu has what it takes to turn around the bad economy he inherited.

“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years. I belief the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr. President when his administration fully takes shape, will surely turn around things for the better.

“Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.

“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair”.

The new Chairman also used the opportunity to call on members of the party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.

Meanwhile, the National Legal Adviser of the party, Ahmed Usman yesterday resigned his position in the party.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Abdulhalim Adamu, the former National Legal Adviser who is from Katsina state said he decided to resign to pave way for Ganduje who is also from the same North West.

“In light of the recent developments within our great party, the All Progressives Congress, with the emergency of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru as National Chairman and National Secretary and the reconfiguration of party offices for national cohesion and adequate regional representation, the National Legal Adviser found it pertinent that he resigns his position within the party to allow for a smooth reconfiguration of the party leadership”.

Ganduje had thanked President Tinubu, Vice President, Kashim Shettima as well as other leaders of the party for the confidence reposed in him.