The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said that ongoing reforms by the Bola Tinubu administration were driving economic growth and helping to reduce poverty in the country.
Edun, who stated this while delivering a speech on behalf of members of the Federal Cabinet at the 8th All Progressives Congress National Convention noted that the administration’s policies were beginning to stabilise the economy and improve overall confidence.
He stated, “As my point of contact, as we heard during the prayers, there are 31 APC governors now, whereas you started just a little over two and a half years ago with about 21. Mr President, you have made Nigeria a more unified country. And whilst we all believe in democracy, that unity of purpose at this critical time will allow you to lead us and propel us further, particularly in terms of economic gains and reducing poverty.
“You are quoted as saying you inherited the assets and the liabilities of your predecessor in office, and that that is fair enough. But you face the reality. For many years, there was neglect of those economic realities that meant that the economy was going in the wrong direction.
“We did not have refining of local crude. We did not have a free market in foreign exchange or even petroleum products and so on and so forth. However, what that meant was that we could not attack poverty, and more and more mouths needed to be fed, and poverty was not reducing.
“With your courage to act, we have, Mr. President, faced the moment of reckoning. We did not continue with a broken system, and you took bold steps to fix it. So, by choosing to act, you chose courage over comfort, you chose reform over delay, and you chose Nigeria and the people of Nigeria over politics. These were not easy decisions, but they were necessary.”
Edun stated that President Tinubu had reset the economy.
Speaking on behalf of the Progressive Governors, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said they gathered not just to fulfill a constitutional duty, but to celebrate a movement that continued to grow in unity and democratic discipline.
He stated, “ Under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the direction is clearer. The reform logic is stronger. And the prospects for long-term growth and development are brighter.
“What leadership requires is not merely the ability to manage the present, but the wisdom to prepare the future. And in this regard, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown statesmanship.
“We also acknowledge that the reforms are meaningful only when they touch lives. That is why the Progressive Governors Forum remains fully aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda and deeply committed to its social progress.
“Across our states, we shall continue to work in partnership with the Federal Government to advance policies and programmes that promote economic opportunity, strengthen social protection, expand infrastructure, improve security, support enterprise, empower young people and women, and restore confidence in public leadership.”
He noted that APC must continue to be broad enough to accommodate diversity, disciplined enough to protect its values, and visionary enough to lead Nigeria through a changing world.
“Our party must continue to be broad enough to accommodate diversity, disciplined enough to protect its values, and visionary enough to lead Nigeria through a changing world.
“We must remain faithful to the progressive principles that define us: justice, inclusion, enterprise, accountability, and national renewal.”
