By Chioma Vivian James
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally accepted the presidential nomination of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 general election, pledging to consolidate ongoing reforms and place Nigeria on what he described as an “irreversible path” to economic expansion, industrialisation, security, and democratic consolidation.
Delivering his acceptance speech on Sunday at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, the President said the next phase of his administration would focus on sustaining reforms already initiated in the areas of education, power, infrastructure, security, and fiscal management.
Describing the moment as “another proud moment in our democratic journey,” Tinubu said his return as the party’s standard bearer reflected the confidence of party members and Nigerians in his administration’s reform agenda.
“I return as your incumbent President—humbled by your enduring support, encouraged by your continued confidence, and imbued with renewed passion for the tasks ahead,” he declared.
The President recalled how he emerged as APC candidate in 2022 and later won the presidency, noting that the mission before the ruling party in 2027 was no longer merely to chart a new direction, but to consolidate the gains already achieved.
According to him, continuity remained essential for sustaining economic reforms and strengthening the foundations of a modern Nigeria.
Tinubu used the occasion to highlight achievements recorded under his administration in the past three years. He stated that the government had fulfilled its promise to ease access to higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, revealing that over N282 billion had been disbursed to more than 1.5 million beneficiaries.
On the power sector, the President said his administration had supplied 2.5 million electricity meters under the Presidential Metering Initiative to close the metering gap and end estimated billing. He also disclosed that the Federal Government established a N4 trillion bond programme to settle verified debts owed to electricity generation and gas companies.
He noted that electricity generation had at times peaked at 6,000 megawatts, which he described as 50 per cent higher than what his administration inherited in 2023.
“Our strategy is focused on redesigning the power sector into a bankable, investable, and capable sector that delivers power to homes and industries,” he said.
Tinubu defended the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate reforms, insisting that despite temporary inflationary pressures, the economy was showing signs of recovery.
According to him, the naira was stabilising, foreign reserves were improving, and government revenue collection had increased through fiscal reforms and new tax policies.
He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects, including coastal superhighways and the Sokoto-Badagry road corridor, describing them as long-term investments designed to stimulate economic growth and national integration.
The President further claimed that reforms in the oil and gas sector had revived investor confidence and attracted billions of dollars in fresh investments into the industry.
Addressing insecurity, Tinubu acknowledged that significant security challenges still persisted across parts of the country, but assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to restoring peace and stability nationwide.
He said government had intensified investment in intelligence gathering, surveillance systems, and modern equipment for security agencies while also strengthening partnerships with local communities.
The President additionally called on the National Assembly to urgently amend the Constitution to allow the creation of state police, describing it as a matter of “national emergency.”
“We will not rest until we restore peace and stability to every corner of our country,” he said.
Tinubu also appealed for national unity, urging Nigerians to resist forces of division and embrace collective nation-building regardless of ethnic, religious, or political differences.
Quoting the national anthem, he said: “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood, we stand.”
The President acknowledged the economic hardship currently faced by many citizens due to ongoing reforms, stressing that his government understood the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.
“We do not dismiss these concerns; we understand them and govern not in comfort, but in reality with honesty and action,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the 2027 election, Tinubu described the contest as a test of Nigeria’s democratic maturity rather than merely a battle for political power.
He warned against what he termed attempts by politicians without “clear alternative vision” to reverse the gains recorded under the APC administration since 2015.
The President pledged to build a more inclusive government if re-elected, promising leadership that “listens, learns, and leads with the best interests of all Nigerians at heart.”
“With faith in God, confidence in our people, and hope in our future, I accept this nomination with a renewed resolve to serve our people,” Tinubu declared.
He concluded by calling for patriotism, national cooperation, and collective effort to build “a more secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria for generations to come.”