The All Progressives Congress (APC) elders in Ondo State, under the banner of the PBAT Mandate Elders Forum, have called on Nigerians to support the administration's reform agenda, particularly ahead of the 2027 election. They acknowledged the severe cost-of-living pressures facing Nigerian families but argued that President Bola Tinubu inherited decades-old structural problems. The group described itself as committed stakeholders in Nigeria's progress.
According to the chairman of the forum, Demola Ijabiyi, President Tinubu courageously confronted the structural problems that necessitated reforms, rather than postponing difficult decisions to protect his immediate popularity. Ijabiyi noted that the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has driven up global energy prices, compounding the burdens Nigerians already bear as the country adjusts to the President's reforms.
The APC elders emphasized that economic recovery is a process, not an overnight event, and that the foundation must first be repaired before lasting prosperity can be built. They insisted that President Tinubu should be judged not solely by the hardship of the transitional period but also by the direction of his reforms. The elders warned against romanticizing an economic past that was already unsustainable.
Ijabiyi stated that President Tinubu did not create the structural problems within a few years, but rather summoned the courage to confront them. He urged Nigerians not to allow today's hardship to make them embrace promises of temporary relief without asking how they will be funded and sustained. The sacrifices made by Nigerians must not be wasted, he added.
The APC elders also addressed speculation about division within the Ondo State chapter of the APC, insisting that both Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, are working towards securing massive votes for Tinubu in 2027. They observed that the existence of multiple structures working towards the same objective is not unusual or evidence of division.
The elders warned against unhealthy rivalry, personal ambition, or using one platform to undermine another. They appealed to supporters to exercise restraint and genuine support for one leader must not be expressed through hostility towards the other. The PBAT Mandate Elders Forum will not join any contest between the Governor and the Minister, recognizing and respecting their important roles.
The APC elders reiterated their loyalty to the common cause, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their candidate, and their assignment being his overwhelming re-election. They encouraged cooperation among all APC leaders and tendencies in Ondo State. Key to their message was that Nigerians should look beyond current economic hardship and support the administration's reform agenda.
Key points
- APC elders urge Nigerians to support President Tinubu's reforms ahead of the 2027 election.
- President Tinubu courageously confronted decades-old structural problems, according to the APC elders.
- The elders emphasize that economic recovery is a process and that the foundation must first be repaired before lasting prosperity can be built.
