Peace Longdet

Today, I led the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to the successful grand rally of the North Central Grassroots Mobilisation Network, hosted by Governor Abdullahi Sule at Lafia Square, Nasarawa State. The Mother of the Nation, Her Excellency, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also led a powerful delegation of women from across the six states of the North Central to the rally. I commended the organisers for their impressive political mobilisation and commitment to securing the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in January 2027. I particularly acknowledged the contributions of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the host Governor and other party leaders and stakeholders whose collaboration made the massive gathering possible. President Tinubu deserves a second term to consolidate the gains of his bold reforms, strengthen the economy, expand infrastructure and put Nigeria firmly on the path of sustainable development. The North Central has compelling reasons to sustain its partnership with this administration, given the federal government's commitment to the region. As we approach the 2027 general elections, I urge our governors, party leaders, traditional rulers, women, youths and grassroots mobilisers to take the message of the Renewed Hope Agenda to every ward and polling unit. The task ahead requires unity, commitment and sustained engagement with our people. The message from Lafia is clear: North Central is ready to mobilise, consolidate and deliver overwhelming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in January 2027, alongside all APC candidates. Together, we will consolidate the Renewed Hope Agenda and build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.

I warmly congratulate the four APC candidates who emerged victorious in the five legislative bye-elections conducted by INEC on Saturday, 19 September 2026. My congratulations go to: 1. Hon. Kallamu Usman MaiJama’a of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, Gombe State; 2. Hon. Husseini Datti of Dawakin Kudu State Constituency, Kano State; 3. Hon. Okolosi Ator of Udu State Constituency, Delta State; and 4. Hon. Yakubu Ali of Disina State Constituency, Bauchi State. These victories reflect the confidence placed in our candidates and the APC by the electorate. I commend our candidates, party leaders, state chapters, campaign teams and, most importantly, the voters for their commitment to the democratic process. I also commend INEC, the security agencies and all stakeholders for their roles in the conduct of the elections. To our victorious candidates, this victory is a call to service. I urge you to remain humble and committed to delivering purposeful representation to your constituents. On behalf of the APC National Working Committee, I congratulate our candidates and the entire APC family across the four states. Together, we remain united and committed to building a stronger APC in the service of Nigerians. Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC)

KANO IS APC! What an electrifying moment today at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, as we welcomed a political tsunami into the All Progressives Congress (APC)! I joined thousands of party faithful and supporters to receive former Kano State Governor and former Senator representing Kano South, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya (Mai Al-Ummah), alongside Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga, associates of Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, and over 100,000 defectors from various political parties into our great party. The sheer size, enthusiasm and energy of the gathering were unmistakable: the APC is expanding, consolidating and growing stronger in Kano. This is more than a rally. It is a powerful statement about where the political momentum is heading ahead of 2027. The message from Kano is loud and clear: APC is ready. Kano is ready. Nigeria is ready. Forward ever! 🇳🇬💪🏽 APC — Renewed Hope, Stronger Together.

From Reform to Results. From Growth to Prosperity. 🇳🇬 Today, I represented His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 2nd Edition of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series / Asiwaju Policy Roundtable. I conveyed Mr. President’s greetings and highlighted the progress being recorded as Nigeria moves from economic uncertainty to stability, growth and prosperity. The vision is clear: a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030. Not just as a number, but as a national mission built on infrastructure, industry, energy, innovation, jobs and the limitless potential of our young people. The foundation has been laid. The work has begun. Let us believe in Nigeria. Invest in Nigeria. Build Nigeria. 🇳🇬 #RenewedHopeAgenda #AsiwajuScorecard #NigeriaRising #OneTrillionDollarEconomy #Tinubu

Today, I represented His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the Second Edition of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series / Asiwaju Policy Roundtable. I conveyed Mr President’s warm greetings and appreciation for the opportunity to engage Nigerians on the critical task of moving our nation from economic uncertainty to stability, from stability to growth, and from growth to prosperity. I highlighted the progress recorded since the difficult but necessary reforms of the Tinubu administration, including stronger external reserves, increased non-oil revenue, improved trade performance, sustained GDP growth and a significant moderation in inflation. These gains demonstrate that the foundations are being strengthened, even as we recognise that macroeconomic stability is not the destination, but the foundation for cheaper food, more jobs, affordable credit, reliable power and stronger purchasing power. I also emphasised that President Tinubu’s $1 trillion economy by 2030 is not merely a number; it is a national mission to build a more productive, competitive and prosperous Nigeria. Achieving it requires an integrated economic architecture built around strategic highways, railways, deep-sea ports, energy infrastructure and digital connectivity, linking our production centres to domestic and international markets. Our five-port maritime vision, supported by major road and rail corridors, can position Nigeria as the maritime, logistics and industrial gateway to West and Central Africa, while industrial parks, agro-processing zones, logistics hubs, manufacturing clusters and the AKK gas pipeline can transform infrastructure into production, jobs, exports and investment. Equally important is investing in our young people through education, skills development, digital training and responsible access to credit. As we approach 2027, the choice before Nigerians is clear: progress or retreat; productivity or stagnation; investment or isolation. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the foundation has been laid and the work has begun. Our task now is to move from reform to results, from results to growth, from growth to prosperity, and from prosperity to a $1 trillion economy by 2030. I therefore call on every Nigerian—businessman and woman, farmer, worker, student, entrepreneur, professional, investor and political leader, to join this national project. Let us believe in Nigeria, invest in Nigeria and build Nigeria. Together, let us create a Nigeria of possibilities and shared prosperity.

I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive the DTN@100 Politician of the Year Award package, presented to me by the Publisher of Daily Times Nigeria, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, ahead of the historic DTN@100 celebration on September 3rd. The commemorative package, which includes a 1960 edition of the Daily Times newspaper, an Award Certificate and a commemorative plaque, is far more than a collection of memorabilia. For me, it represents a powerful reminder of a journey in public service, leadership and the privilege of contributing, in whatever capacity, to the progress of our nation. To be recognised by an institution with the remarkable history and legacy of Daily Times Nigeria is a special privilege. For a century, Daily Times has been an important part of Nigeria's media and national story, documenting our journey as a people and contributing significantly to the development of journalism and public discourse. I therefore receive this honour with profound gratitude and, more importantly, with humility. Every recognition in public life should not only be celebrated; it should also deepen one's sense of responsibility. This award reinforces my commitment to continue working for a stronger, more united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. I sincerely thank the management and entire family of Daily Times Nigeria for finding me worthy of this recognition. I deeply appreciate the confidence and goodwill that this honour represents. I look forward with great anticipation to joining the Publisher, the Daily Times family and other distinguished Nigerians on September 3rd, as we celebrate 100 years of the enduring legacy of a truly remarkable Nigerian institution. Thank you, Daily Times Nigeria, for this honour. I receive it with gratitude, humility and a renewed commitment to service. Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

It was indeed a thing of joy and admiration to see millions of our supporters across Osun State who trooped out earlier today to welcome me and members of the National Working Committee, as well as the Senate President, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and most of the governors of our great party at the grand and mega rally in support of our candidate for the governorship election of the state coming up this Saturday. The atmosphere was electric, colourful and deeply inspiring. From Osogbo to every corner of the state, the message was unmistakable: the people of Osun are ready for a new chapter of progress, prosperity and purposeful governance. Their massive turnout was not merely a show of political strength; it was a powerful expression of confidence in the APC and the future we are committed to building together. I emphasised the strategic importance of Osun returning to the centre. With an APC government in the state working in partnership with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Osun can attract greater federal attention, unlock more development opportunities and position itself to benefit fully from the Renewed Hope agenda. Politics must ultimately be about improving the lives of our people. Today’s rally has reaffirmed my conviction that the people of Osun are hopeful, determined and ready for change. They believe, as we do, that the future of Osun is brighter with the APC in government. This Saturday, let us translate this massive enthusiasm into votes and make history together. Osun is ready. APC is ready. Victory is sure!

Osun, Victory Is. At Sight! The All Progressives Congress (APC) warmly invites our party leaders, members, supporters and stakeholders across Osun State to the Grand Finale of the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Rally. Date: Thursday, 13 August 2026 Venue: Freedom Park, Osogbo Time: 11:00 a.m. Our message is clear: victory is within sight! This is the moment to stand together, united by our shared commitment to progress, development and a greater future for Osun State. Let us come out in our numbers, fill Freedom Park with the strength and spirit of the APC, and demonstrate that Osun is ready for victory. To every party member and supporter: your presence matters, your voice matters, and your vote matters. Osun, come out! Stand with APC! Let the world hear our voice! Victory is at sight. Victory is ours! 🇳

I was deeply honoured to join the Muslim community today at an important gathering dedicated to a subject that goes to the very heart of Nigeria’s future: “Diversity and Social Peace: A Partnership for a Promising Future.” The theme is not only timely; it is profound. For Nigeria, diversity is not an abstract concept. It is the reality of our national existence. We are a nation of different faiths, ethnicities, languages, cultures and traditions, woven together by a shared history and a common destiny. The question before us is therefore not whether Muslims and Christians can live together, but what kind of Nigeria are we building by the way we live together? I spoke from the heart and from experience. I grew up in Yobe State as the son of a pastor, and as a young boy, I witnessed the beautiful friendship between my father and the Chief Imam of Nguru. They were men of different faiths, but their humanity came before their differences. They visited one another, respected one another and stood together as neighbours, friends and Nigerians. That experience taught me a lesson I have carried throughout my life: religious difference does not have to produce human distance. Sadly, I later witnessed in Plateau State the other side of Nigeria—conflict, suspicion, displacement, destruction and the tragic loss of innocent lives. I saw what happens when we stop seeing our neighbours as human beings and begin to see them only through the narrow lens of religion or ethnicity. Today, I asked some difficult but necessary questions: When did our differences become reasons to fear one another? When did being Christian or Muslim become more important than being Nigerian? When did ethnic identity become more powerful than our shared humanity? Nigeria faces terrorism, banditry, communal violence, hate speech and the manipulation of identity for political purposes. We must confront these challenges, but we must also confront the hatred and dehumanisation that often lie beneath them. Security is necessary, but lasting peace requires justice, education, responsible leadership, economic opportunity, dialogue and moral courage. Our churches and mosques must become centres of peace; our traditional institutions must become instruments of reconciliation; and our political leaders must never weaponise religion or ethnicity for temporary political advantage. Nigeria does not need less diversity. We need greater wisdom to manage our diversity. We do not need to become the same; we need to learn to live together as different people with a shared destiny. Let us choose dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over revenge, justice over vengeance, and humanity over identity. Let us build a Nigeria where a Christian can protect a Muslim, a Muslim can defend a Christian, and every Nigerian can stand for another Nigerian—not because we share the same faith, ethnicity or political affiliation, but because we share the same humanity. One day, our children will ask us: “When Nigeria was divided, what did you do?” Let our answer be simple: We chose peace. We chose unity. We chose humanity. We chose Nigeria.

I commissioned a beautiful new edifice which is the State Secretariat of our great party in Jalingo, Taraba State. I was joined by the Honourable Minister of Regional Development and members of the National Working Committee. The warm reception from the airport was deeply emotional, especially seeing widows and children dancing to welcome me. Their joy was touching, but their stories were heartbreaking. That is why, on my birthday, I chose to support a medical outreach in Taraba. Beyond the vote and beyond the party, the lives of our people matter to us. This beautiful Secretariat must be more than an office; it must be a temple of reconciliation. I want to see aggrieved members sitting around the table, resolving differences, rebuilding trust and bringing more people into our great party. Our strength is our unity, and Taraba has the capacity to deliver the numbers. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brought renewed federal attention to Taraba, with critical infrastructure and development projects changing the story of communities that once felt forgotten. We must translate this development into greater hope for our people and a stronger mandate for Mr. President. This is the APC we are building, a party of humanity, reconciliation, development and hope.

I congratulate our candidates, leaders, and members of APC on the successful 100% upload of our Presidential, Vice Presidential, Senate, and House of Representatives candidates on the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP). With this milestone achieved, our focus now shifts to mobilization and preparations for a successful campaign and decisive victory at the polls. #2027Elections

I represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) earlier today at the Flag-Off of the Rehabilitation of the Babban Lamba–Sharam Phase II Road in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State. The mammoth crowd that gathered at the venue to welcome the President to my village was simply unprecedented. This important road project is more than infrastructure; it is a strategic investment that will connect communities, stimulate businesses, shorten travel distance by over 100 kilometres, create jobs, and improve the security of the corridor through the deployment of modern technology, street lighting, and police stations. I conveyed the President's unwavering commitment to the development of the North Central, a region that currently hosts 61 federal road projects under this administration. The four major legacy infrastructure projects of President Tinubu are deliberately designed to connect all six geopolitical zones, ensuring inclusive national development. I also acknowledged our revered traditional ruler, appreciated the contractor, and urged the company to deliver the project on schedule while giving priority to employing members of the host communities. This project is especially historic, as it serves the birthplace of General Yakubu Gowon and will stand as a lasting legacy for generations. My sincere appreciation goes to the wonderful people of my community for the warm, colourful, and overwhelming reception accorded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous Nigeria.

Today, I represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) at the commissioning of the Akwanga Underpass and road project, as well as the flag-off of Section I of the Akwanga–Kaduna–Jos segment of the 700-kilometre Akwanga–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway—another landmark legacy project under the Renewed Hope Agenda. It was a great honour to stand in for Mr. President on such a historic occasion. The massive turnout and warm reception from the people of Nasarawa State clearly demonstrated their overwhelming support for President Tinubu and their appreciation of his commitment to their development. It is evident that the President holds the people of Nasarawa dear and remains committed to improving their quality of life. I expressed the President's gratitude to the people of Nasarawa State and indeed all Nigerians for their patience, support and belief in the ongoing reforms. These reforms are already yielding measurable results. Today, states receive significantly higher allocations than they did before, enabling them to meet critical obligations. In 2023, about 30 out of the 36 states struggled to pay salaries and gratuities. That is no longer the situation. Across the federation, roads, bridges, schools, markets and other critical infrastructure are being constructed to stimulate economic growth and improve the lives of Nigerians. President Tinubu has consistently demonstrated that bold reforms produce lasting results. He transformed Lagos through visionary leadership, reclaimed land from the Atlantic, modernised the tax administration system and laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth. Today, he is replicating that same vision on a national scale. From the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, Nigeria is witnessing the most ambitious road infrastructure programme in its history. The construction of five new seaports and the expansion of rail infrastructure, including the rail corridor to Maradi, will strengthen regional trade, reduce transportation costs, create jobs and position Nigeria as the commercial hub of West Africa. I also commended the Governor of Nasarawa State for providing an atmosphere where people of different ethnic backgrounds coexist peacefully and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state. I equally appreciated our revered traditional rulers for their invaluable role in promoting peace and securing our communities. As the National Assembly continues work on the State Police Bill, I encouraged state governments to support its speedy implementation as part of the broader effort to strengthen security across the country. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about building a stronger, safer and more prosperous Nigeria where every citizen can realise his or her potential. These legacy projects are not just roads; they are pathways to economic prosperity, national unity and shared progress. I pray that God Almighty grants President Bola Ahmed Tinubu good health, wisdom and long life to continue this important work of nation-building and to consolidate the gains of his transformational leadership for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Today, the people of Ekiti are head to the polls to elect their Governor. The APC is fully prepared, and our Situation Room has been activated to monitor developments across the state while working closely with our stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, free, fair, and credible electoral process. We urge all voters to remain peaceful and conduct themselves in an orderly manner throughout the exercise. BAO is a YES because we are confident that the people of Ekiti will once again endorse the tested, trusted, and transformational leadership of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

BLOOD OF HEROES, STRENGTH OF A NATION It is with great shock that I received the news of the Boko Haram attack on the Nigerian military that culminated in the loss of the brave soldiers of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Operation HADIN KAI, who died in a coordinated terrorist assault on their camp in Benisheikh, Borno State. My heart is heavy with grief. These were not just soldiers, they were fathers, sons, brothers, and patriots who stood on the frontlines so that millions of Nigerians could sleep in peace. Their courage, their sacrifice, and their unwavering commitment to the unity and security of our nation will forever be etched in our collective memory. I extend my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian military and to the families of these fallen heroes. In this moment of unspeakable pain, I urge you to take heart. Though words may fail us, we must find strength in the noble lives they lived and the ultimate price they paid for the survival of our nation. May God grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. The Defence Headquarters has confirmed this tragic incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, April 9, 2026. I join millions of Nigerians in mourning as I honour the memory of these gallant soldiers, led by Brigadier-General Oseni Omoh Braimah, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our sovereignty. Let it be said clearly and without hesitation: their sacrifices will not be in vain. The blood of our heroes cries out not for despair, but for renewed resolve. Because of their bravery, our determination as a nation to defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace is stronger than ever. I also wish to reassure all Nigerians that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed and actively working to ensure that Nigeria remains stable and secure. This tragic incident, while deeply painful, does not define us, it strengthens our unity and sharpens our collective resolve to overcome every threat to our nationhood. Our armed forces continue to receive the necessary support, resources, and strategic direction to prosecute the fight against insurgency decisively. In this solemn moment, I pray that Almighty God comforts the bereaved families and grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed heroes. May He strengthen and protect our troops still on the frontlines, watching over them as they defend our land with honour. I pray for the wisdom, strength, and resilience of the president as he leads the nation through these challenging times. May God also grant guidance and fortitude to Governor Babagana Zulum as he continues to steer Borno State through the complexities of security and rebuilding. And to all Nigerians, may God unite us in purpose, heal our land, and grant us lasting peace. May the souls of our fallen heroes rest in perfect peace. 🇳🇬