President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have reached a consensus on two critical fronts: securing victory in the 2027 presidential election and tackling the escalating cost of living that has strained Nigerian households.
The agreement was reached during a meeting at the State House on Thursday, held shortly after the 160th National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, according to disclosures made available by the Presidency on Friday.
Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, addressed journalists on behalf of his colleagues, declaring that the subnational leaders had pledged their unwavering support for the President’s re-election bid.
Uzodinma stated that the governors had assured the President of victory, adding that each state chief executive understands the peculiar dynamics of their domain and would deploy the required resources and strategies to ensure success at the polls.
He explained that the responsibility for delivering the election rested squarely on the governors, who would lead mobilisation efforts at the grassroots level while coordinating with the national campaign structure.
Uzodinma emphasised that a combination of subnational groundwork and federal-level coordination would produce the desired outcome, with governors taking charge of campaign activities in their respective states.
The meeting also afforded the President the opportunity to formally brief the governors on the composition of the Presidential Campaign Council, which was unveiled on August 22, 2026, with Uzodinma serving as Secretary and former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General.
Beyond political calculations, Uzodinma revealed that governance issues consumed most of the deliberation time, with particular attention paid to the rising cost of living and its impact on ordinary Nigerians.
Discussions centred on transportation costs, food security, agricultural productivity, and ensuring that the benefits of ongoing economic reforms reach the people in tangible ways.
The governors conducted an assessment of the reforms already implemented and identified areas where adjustments were needed to alleviate the hardships faced by citizens.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, who also addressed the media, highlighted the President’s extensive knowledge of the country’s gas resources and his commitment to expanding the use of Compressed Natural Gas as an alternative to expensive fossil fuels.
Sule expressed amazement at the depth of the President’s understanding of gas utilisation, noting that Tinubu had committed significant resources to the CNG initiative as part of efforts to drive down transportation costs.
He added that the President repeatedly stressed the importance of party unity, national cohesion, and poverty reduction, urging governors to prioritise these objectives in their respective states.
Sule further noted that elections are won at the state level, and governors would therefore lead the campaign efforts, with the campaign council providing the necessary coordination and support.
The meeting came just days after the Independent National Electoral Commission officially flagged off campaigns for the 2027 general election on August 19, 2026, setting the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested political season.
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