The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are set to begin campaign activities for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election following his return from working leave, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said.
Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and serves as Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council, said the governors would begin their campaign outings almost immediately.
Speaking after a meeting with Tinubu at his Lagos residence, he said their discussions covered developments during the President’s absence, the activities of APC governors and preparations for political mobilisation.
“The President has just come back from a working leave. And while he was away, we were working in Nigeria. And it is only fair that he is briefed on the happenings in the country and an interim report given to him as to the issues on the ground,” he said.
He said the governors had been working to explain the administration’s policies and achievements to Nigerians.
“We referred straight to our campaign outing, which will start almost immediately since he is now back,” he said.
During Tinubu’s absence, a Presidential Campaign Council delegation led by its Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, consulted four traditional rulers ahead of public rallies for the President’s second-term bid.
The delegation visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar; the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II; and the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar ibn el-Kanemi.
Uzodimma said APC governors had taken guidance from Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast and would work to ensure that the administration’s reforms produced benefits citizens could experience directly.
According to him, the focus must now extend beyond policy implementation to improved living conditions.
“The reform policy has moved from implementation to ensuring that the people of Nigeria get the dividends of the reform policy itself,” he said.
He cited compressed natural gas-powered buses, arguing that savings from lower operating costs should translate into reduced transport fares.
Uzodimma urged transport operators to pass those savings to passengers, saying the benefits of cheaper fuel should reach commuters.
“So we are not going to only sit here and sing the songs of reform. We will make sure the real beneficiaries of the reform policy are the people. That the masses will feel the impact,” he said.
Using Imo State as an example, the governor said the administration’s reforms had improved state finances and increased the resources available for development projects.
He recalled that the state previously struggled to meet recurrent obligations, with little left after salary payments.
“Today, we pay salaries as we do, and we have money to do all the achievements that we have recorded in the state. It is not only in my state. Every other state. Most of our Governors are very active, with a lot of projects here and there,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Works David Umahi has predicted that Tinubu will secure substantially more votes in the Southeast in 2027 than he received in the previous presidential election.
Speaking on a Channels Television programme, Umahi said appointments and federal infrastructure projects had improved the region’s perception of the administration.
He said that Southeast voters had legitimate grievances about their treatment under previous administrations but maintained that Tinubu had responded through representation in government and road development.
“I will not blame the Southeast in the last election because, virtually, we were not fairly treated by the past administration,” he said.
Umahi cited his appointment as Minister of Works and the appointments of ministers from the region to the foreign affairs and science, innovation and technology portfolios.
He also listed federal road projects, including the Abuja–Abakaliki–Enugu corridor; links involving Ebonyi, Benue and Enugu; the Eke-Obinagu Flyover Bridge; a 23-span bridge; a 33-kilometre reinforced concrete road; and the 61-kilometre Lokpanta–Enugu Road.
The minister said these interventions would strengthen support for Tinubu in the region.
Although initially reluctant to predict victory across all five Southeast states, Umahi said when pressed: “My faith is telling me we’ll win the five states.”
He dismissed Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi as a threat to Tinubu and urged Southeast voters to build political alliances beyond the region.
“We shouldn’t play regional politics. It doesn’t help us. As a region, we should be able to have a handshake across the country,” he said.
Asked about a possible opposition coalition, Umahi said the APC would respond if such an alliance emerged.
“Until they unite, then we tell you the stuff we are made of,” he said.
Tinubu also visited the Oba of Lagos at Iga Idunganran as part of his engagements in the state.
He was accompanied by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and other political figures. Residents and supporters gathered along Marina and Isale Eko during the visit.
The President said he had come to express his gratitude to the monarch, who offered prayers for his administration and the country and urged continued peace, stability and progress.
The palace visit followed Tinubu’s October 1 attendance at the Lagos premiere of MKO, a documentary on the life and legacy of the late businessman and politician, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
