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Southwest leaders on Wednesday said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves re-election in 2027 because he is fulfilling his campaign promises to the country.

According to them, the president has not let the region and other Nigerians down, adding that his bold reforms are yielding the dividends of development.

The leading lights also brainstormed on strategies for fast-tracking regional integration to foster progress in the geo-political zone.

Elder statesman and pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Bisi Akande urged the region to emulate other regions who are taking advantage of how President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is setting the country on the path of federalism through restructuring.

Afenifere Leader Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who renewed his call for unity among Yoruba, said the race should return to the welfarist and progressive ideology of ‘freedom for all, life more abundant.’

Pa Fasoranti, 99, was represented by Senator Femi Okurounmu.

The chairman of Proshare Limited, Olufemi Awoyemi, advised the six Southwest states to collaborate economically based on the proposals enjoined by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).

Eminent Yoruba leaders joined the six governors on the first day of the two-day-conference in Akure, Ondo State capital, to examine how the region can recover its lost ground and chart a course towards prosperity.

The theme of the conference is: ‘Strengthen democracy through dialogue: assessing progress, charting the future.

Ministers, special advisers and other senior officials from the region, who tendered their stewardship, explained to the stakeholders the scorecard of the Tinubu administration, based on the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, spoke on the efficiency of the fiscal reforms and national planning.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, said the administration is on course in charting a path for sustainable development.

The host, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who hailed President Tinubu for his courage and boldness, said his performance aptly recommended him for re-election.

After reviewing the achievements of the Tinubu’s government, Aiyedatiwa said: “We are for Tinubu beyond 2027. It is in the interest of our region and Nigeria. Here in Ondo State, our support for the president is like an Executive Order that cannot be reversed.”

Echoing him, Sanwo-Olu said: “Under the transformative leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria is being reshaped into a land of renewed confidence, investment, and prosperity. The results speak for themselves: a more stable currency, a unified exchange rate, growing exports, surging revenues, and renewed investor optimism. These are not abstract numbers; they are the visible footprints of the Renewed Hope vision — a testament to what resolute leadership can achieve.

“The reforms did not start out easily, as we can all attest to. But the President, more than anyone else, was confident that the temporary pain would be followed by permanent benefits. And time has surely vindicated him and reaffirmed that Nigerians made the best and most beneficial electoral choice in 2023—which we must consolidate upon in 2027!”

At the event were Ogun State Deputy Governor Alhaja Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who stood for Governor Dapo Abiodun; Secretary to Ekiti State Government Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, represented Governor Biodun Oyebanji, who was inaugurating the Igbara Odo-Ikere Road along with Edo State Governor Monday Okpbeholo as part of his third anniversary programme.

Ondo State Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, Chief Sehinde Arogbofa, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Remi Okurinboye, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Third Republic House of Representatives Chief Whip Olawale Oshun, and NDDC Executive Director Chief Ifedayo Abegunde.

Also present were Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Cornelius Ojelabi, Lasisi Oluboyo, Prof. Banji Aluko, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Ondo APC Chairman Ade Adetimehin, Ambassador Sola Iji, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, former Oyo State Deputy Governor Alake Adeyemo, former Ogun State Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun, Dare Babarinsa, Tunde Rahmon, Dr. Adetunji Adeoye, Ondo State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman Pade Adeniji, Bola Adewusi, Chief Jide Awe, Sola Elesin, Ayo Afolabi, Taiwo Olatunbosun, Idowu Ajanaku, and DAWN Director-General Dr. Seye Oyeleye.

Traditional rulers at the conference included the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Olowo of Owo and Chairman, Council of Obas, Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Laoye, and the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

Development commissions are silent restructuring, says Akande
Akande, former governor of Osun State, described the establishment of regional development commissions by President Tinubu as a “quiet restructuring” of the federation.

He praised President Tinubu for subtly restoring the spirit of federalism through regional empowerment and institutional decentralization.

Akande described the commissions as “economic engines” designed to empower regions to take charge of their own growth trajectories.

He said: “In a stroke of visionary leadership, the present administration has established and inaugurated five regional development commissions – the North West, North Central, North East, South East, and now our own South West Development Commission (SWDC).

“For us in the Southwest, this is both an opportunity and a responsibility – to once again lead by example, demonstrating how local collaboration, innovative thinking, and strategic implementation can drive sustainable development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Akande believes that purposeful restructuring should begin with the “restitution of genuine federalism” to ensure equality of opportunity for all citizens and foster community and regional development.

We must make S’west Commission a model, says Awoyemi
Awoyemi, who was the keynote speaker, spoke on ‘Two years of the Tinubu administration: Southwest’s perspective and posterity.’

He noted that under the administration, Nigeria had moved from the worst risk zone to the recovery zone.

However, he said there is a translation gap between what he described as statistical economy and street economy, adding that the gap between macroeconomic stability and micro-economic reality should be bridged.

Awoyemi said there is a problem triggered by the inability of the sub-national units to complement the efforts of the Federal Government.

He said: “What Tinubu government has done is important. But what Southwest governors should do are more important..”

Awoyemi said while the current crop of leaders benefitted from the vision of illustrious pathfinders like Obafemi Awolowo, Adekunle Ajasin and Bisi Onabanjo, what the governors have done only amounted to tokenism.

He charged them to erect good standards like the ones they inherited from the founding fathers.

Urging Southwest to effectively utilise the opportunity provided by the Southwest Development Commission, he said: “Southwest Commission’s goals, as highlighted by DAWN, has the objective of building a globally competitive economy.

“Southwest Commission should not become a constituency project awarding commission. The purpose is to come up with plans, in synergy with DAWN, to build a legacy like the Oodua Group.

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“Southwest should talk about regional rail and renewable power supply, agro-allied industries. Lagos and Ogun should be able to resolve their boundary problems.”

Aiyedatiwa calls for sustained federal, state collaboration
Aiyedatiwa said: “It takes courageous, visionary, and transformative leadership in the mould of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to take such bold decisions. Nigerians deserve more of his exemplary leadership till the foreseeable future.”

He noted that the President’s policies had significantly stabilised the economy, boosted non-oil revenues, and promoted fiscal discipline.

Aiyedatiwa added: “It is gratifying that these reforms have started yielding the desired dividends as the economy has been substantially stabilised with the non-oil sector now contributing significant revenue to the federation accounts as against the situation hitherto.”

The governor added that improved financial inflows from the Federation Account had empowered sub-national governments to execute developmental projects that directly impact citizens.

He stressed: “We, the sub-nationals, are happy as we now have improved allocations to embark upon various developmental projects for the good of our people.”

‘We have changed face of power sector’
Adelabu said due to lack of support by the sector for industries, Nigerians turned to foreign products.

The minister also lamented the over centralisation of power supply in the past in a country of 36 states and 774 local governments.

He said the Tinubu administration recognised that supply cannot be centrally handled, adding that government cannot achieve results without decentralization and liberalisation .

He recalled that the Electricity Bill was the first to be signed into law by the president on assumption of office, pointing out that it opened opportunities for private sector participation.

Adelabu said: “The vibrancy we have in power supply today has not been like that,” stressing that $4 billion investment has been attracted in the sector.

The minister said the market reforms has led government to the fact that the subsidy in the sector cannot be sustained.

He said it is only proper that the ‘Cost Reflective Tarrif’ is paid by customers who enjoy regular supply.

Reforms in Blue Economy on course
Oyetola lauded the president for creating the Ministry of Blue Economy, which has affirmed the status of Nigeria as a maritime country.

He said the Apapa and Tin Can ports had been modernised while the Apapa gridlock is also over.

The minister said over N1.39 trillion has been generated, assuring that it can only increase.

He suggested a capacity building programme for youths so that they can take careers in ports.

Oyetola urged state governments to collaborate with the ministry to phase out ricketting boats on waterways.

Salako: Preventive approach working
Salako said the emphasis on preventive approach to medicare has reduced infant and maternal mortality.

He said the health sector occupies a central position in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The minister of state lauded the president for creating three cancer centres, thereby averting medical tourism to the tune of $ 1 billion.

Sanwo-Olu: Southwest states should collaborate
Sanwo-Olu, Chairman of the South-West Governor’s Forum, charged the region to light the path for Nigeria’s rebirth by deepening collaboration across the states, sectors and communities.

He urged stakeholders at the summit, which included serving and former political leaders and traditional rulers, ethnic and religious leaders, as well as civil society organisations, women and youths’ leaders, to work in harmony and deploy their assets toward a shared regional agenda that delivers inclusive growth for every citizen.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We are gathered not merely to reflect on our journey but to reimagine our destiny—a South-West that once again sets the pace for Nigeria’s development and becomes the standard for others to emulate.

“The establishment of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC) by President Tinubu, with the backing of the National Assembly, is another bold affirmation of our collective destiny. It provides us with an institutional platform to plan, integrate, and deliver the kind of regional transformation that defined the old Western Region under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“Let us rally around this new Commission, not in rhetoric but in action. As the great sage, Obafemi Awolowo reminded us, ‘It is not life that matters, but the courage you bring into it.’ Now is the time to summon that courage once again — to reclaim our heritage of innovation, education, and good governance.

“We must deepen collaboration — across states, across sectors, and across communities. Diversity has always been our strength; harmony has always been our advantage. Let us deploy these assets toward a shared regional agenda that delivers inclusive growth for every citizen.

“We must institutionalise peer learning among our state governments — sharing insights, replicating success stories, and jointly pursuing regional infrastructure that binds us together rather than keeping us apart.

“The South-West has always been a land of firsts—in education, in broadcasting, in urban planning, and in governance. The question before us today is simple: Can we, once again, light the path for Nigeria’s rebirth? I say yes, we can, because the spirit of innovation and unity that defined our past still lives in us. Let us not waste this season of extraordinary opportunity.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who commended President Tinubu for taking bold steps in transforming the country, said Nigeria is being reshaped into a land of renewed confidence, investment, and prosperity.

He stressed: “Under the transformative leadership President Tinubu, Nigeria is being reshaped into a land of renewed confidence, investment, and prosperity. The results speak for themselves: a more stable currency, a unified exchange rate, growing exports, surging revenues, and renewed investor optimism. These are not abstract numbers; they are the visible footprints of the Renewed Hope vision — a testament to what resolute leadership can achieve.

“The reforms did not start out easily, as we can all attest to. But the President, more than anyone else, was confident that the temporary pain would be followed by permanent benefits. And time has surely vindicated him and reaffirmed that Nigerians made the best and most beneficial electoral choice in 2023—which we must consolidate upon in 2027!”

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed further that “For states like Lagos that have several investment-worthy initiatives cutting across infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, the digital and creative economy, the blue economy, tourism and entertainment, and many more, this is very good news. President Tinubu’s leadership continues to teach us that boldness and consistency are the twin engines of national renewal.

“We are now more confident than ever that our landmark public-private partnership (PPP) investment projects, like the 4th Mainland Bridge, the Lagos Green Line, the Lekki International Airport and others, will now be able to attract more investors and partners, given the macroeconomic stability that Nigeria is enjoying.

“Also, for us in Lagos, we are very well positioned to benefit from Nigeria’s emergence as an export powerhouse, given that Lagos is home to three of Nigeria’s busiest ports. Increased port activity will create more jobs and generate more revenues and taxes. Lagos State first benefited from the President’s foresight when he was Governor a quarter of a century ago and is again benefiting from that remarkable foresight now that he is President.”