From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Deputy Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Otunba Segun Showunmi, has urged Nigerians to refrain from making negative comments about the country and remain hopeful about the transformation agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Showunmi made the appeal on Thursday in Makurdi, Benue State, while speaking with journalists during a visit to the state for a town hall meeting aimed at mobilising support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
He said the Tinubu administration had recorded significant progress in various sectors of the economy in the last three and a half years, expressing confidence that the gains would be sustained.
According to him, Nigeria’s economic performance has improved, citing a reduction in the inflation rate from about 34 per cent when the administration assumed office to approximately 14 per cent.
He attributed the development to ongoing economic reforms and said the government was working to further reduce inflation through increased local production.
The APC chieftain also highlighted the role of the Bank of Industry (BOI) in supporting small and medium-scale enterprises, noting that several businesses were benefiting from government-backed interventions.
On security, Showunmi said the Federal Government had committed substantial resources to addressing insecurity in collaboration with the international community.
He further expressed optimism that the proposed establishment of state police would strengthen security operations and empower state governments to respond more effectively to security challenges.
“Take the issue of state police. When operational, it will give significant energy to states to secure their people. States and local governments are also receiving substantial resources from the Federal Government, which are expected to stimulate economic activities at the grassroots,” he said.
Showunmi called on Nigerians to avoid portraying the country negatively, warning against the politicisation of insecurity and excessive tribal sentiments.
“Nigerians should stop shaming and portraying their country in a bad light. We should stop playing politics with insecurity. Excessive tribalism is not in our best interest,” he said.
Speaking on the political fortunes of the APC in Benue State, Showunmi urged voters to deliver two million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election out of the state’s voting strength of more than three million.
He argued that Benue State could position itself for greater political influence, including the possibility of producing Nigeria’s president, if the presidency is zoned to the North-Central geopolitical zone.
According to him, securing a strong electoral mandate would strengthen the region’s bargaining power in national politics.
“If you produce the numbers, my spirit tells me that a Benue person can be President. You need to close ranks among yourselves. There must be unity in the North-Central,” he advised.
He urged political stakeholders in the region to put aside their differences, build consensus and work together towards achieving their collective political aspirations.
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