By
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
The Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Abubakar Momoh from Edo North said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come to rescue Nigeria from total collapse.
Hon. Momoh disclosed this during the All Progressive Congress (APC) stakeholders' interactive session held in Benin City, Edo State recently.
In a resounding vote of confidence on president Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda", the minister who was a two time House of Representative member, representing Etsako Federal Constituency at the national assembly urged all Nigerians to support the president, adding that his administration is on the right track.
The Minister's speech underscored the administration's transformative policies and highlighted the critical role President Tinubu is playing in Nigeria's resurgence.
Addressing a distinguished gathering that included governors and leaders from the South-South region, Hon. Momoh asserted that President Tinubu has effectively steered Nigeria away from a potential collapse.
According to him, "If he has not come to rescue Nigeria from the mess that have happened in the past, today, Nigeria would have since collapsed," painting a vivid picture of the nation's precarious state prior to Tinubu's ascendancy.
The Minister acknowledged that some of the administration's decisions, while necessary, have brought temporary discomfort.
He noted , "It is understood that people may feel the pain now. It is true that if you must eat the egg, you must break it," emphasizing that these difficult choices are already yielding positive outcomes within a remarkably short period.
Momoh highlighted specific achievements of the Tinubu administration that directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He pointed to the operational student loan scheme, which is now enabling countless indigent students to pursue education without discrimination.
Furthermore, he noted the prevalence of various scholarship programmes, including foreign scholarships managed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission, with plans for additional local and foreign scholarships soon to be rolled out across the Niger Delta.
A significant portion of the Minister's address focused on the contentious, yet crucial, withdrawal of the fuel subsidy.
He unequivocally stated, "It is a very corrupt subsidy that has been going on in this country"
He stressed that the removal of this subsidy was vital, asserting that "if the subsidy from oil has not been removed, this country would have collapsed"
He also touched upon ongoing reforms in the energy sector as further evidence of the administration's commitment to national progress.
Momoh implored the audience to provide strong support for the current administration, stating, "All these are reasons why we have to look critically and support this administration to ensure more good things are done for the people of this country."
Beyond the national scope, Hon. Momoh also lauded the host, Governor Monday Okpebholo, for his leadership in Edo State.
He remarked on the historic nature of the progressive governors meeting in Benin City recently, a feat he suggested reflected Okpebholo's effective collaboration with his colleagues.
Momoh, who admitted initial skepticism about Okpebholo's leadership due to his quiet demeanor, now affirmed, "From what I have heard, and what I have seen so far, I can say he's doing very well."
The Minister concluded his speech with a confident prediction for the upcoming elections in Edo State, anticipating a dominant APC victory.
He noted, "In Edo, it is obvious that APC has taken over. That is to say in the next election, we will replicate in all the senatorial districts what was done in Edo North in the last elections. I'm sure we will be able to get not less than 98% for both our president, Senators and other members of the national assembly that are going to come up."
His message was clear: "Let us support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because it's on the right track."
The Edo APC stakeholders interactive session saw a strong turnout of party chieftains and government officials who echoed Hon. Momoh's sentiments.
Among those present were: Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, a sitting senator representing Edo North; Edo State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe; Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu (representing the Progressive Governors' Forum); former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva; NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the APC National Women Leader.
Also in attendance were: Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Secretary to Edo State Government, Barrister Umar Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Staff to Edo State Governor, Hon. Ganiyu Audu; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, and members of the state assembly, all underscoring the broad consensus on President Tinubu's leadership.
