Senate President Akpabio urges northern youths to back Tinubu’s reforms, stressing economic recovery, governance participation and national unity ahead of 2027.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged northern youths to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its economic reform agenda, describing the measures as painful but necessary to reposition the Nigerian economy.
Akpabio made the call on Saturday in Abuja when he received a delegation from the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly.
He said the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market were among the reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration to address longstanding structural challenges and reposition the economy.
“I stand before you not merely as a politician, but as a public servant committed to the prosperity of our nation, and particularly this vital region,” Akpabio told the delegation.
According to him, the reforms were designed to dismantle longstanding structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential,” he said.
Akpabio acknowledged that the measures had initially created challenges but said they were necessary to redirect resources towards critical sectors.
“While these measures initially posed challenges, they were the surgical procedures needed to redirect resources into healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.
The Senate President also said the reforms were producing early positive indicators, including improved revenue collection, increased investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.
He urged northern youths to become active participants in governance rather than wait for the future before taking responsibility.
“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” Akpabio said.
He added that the 10th National Assembly was prioritising reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the rule of law.
Akpabio also called on youths to contribute to the reform process through innovation, responsible engagement and constructive dialogue.
“Your innovation and engagement are the lifeblood of these reforms. We urge you to be critical consumers of information and to engage in constructive dialogue,” he said.
Responding, spokesperson for the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, commended Akpabio for what he described as efforts to strengthen political understanding between the North and South.
“We commend the Senate President for his accessibility and his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian project. His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries,” Dan-Musa said.
He described national unity as essential to Nigeria’s survival, stressing that regional interests should not supersede the sovereignty and peace of the country.
“National unity is the ultimate anchor of our collective survival. No regional sentiment can take precedence over the sovereignty and peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
Dan-Musa identified three key areas for the group’s political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections: continuous consultation with northern youth structures, grassroots enlightenment on federal fiscal policies and an uncompromising commitment to national cohesion.