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Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and serving their first term have declared that their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027 must be accompanied by measurable performance and visible development in their respective states.

The governors made their position known in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, on Tuesday.

Reading the communiqué, the Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade Nasir Idris, said the governors recognised that securing public support for the President’s re-election would depend largely on the performance of APC-led state governments.

“As first-term APC governors seeking re-election, we recognise that our support for the President must be matched by performance in our respective states,” he said.

“We will not just ask Nigerians to support Mr President. We will give them reasons to believe by working harder, delivering visible results, and ensuring that federal reforms translate into tangible benefits at the local level.”

The governors pledged to intensify efforts in key sectors including agriculture and food security, rural infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, youth and women empowerment, security collaboration, energy access, investment promotion, revenue reforms, job creation and transparent governance.

They commended President Tinubu for taking what they described as difficult but necessary decisions in the national interest, noting that his administration had created greater opportunities for states to participate actively in national development while maintaining close engagement with governors as partners in governance.

The governors acknowledged the economic challenges facing Nigerians and the sacrifices made by citizens during the ongoing period of economic adjustment.

According to the communiqué, families, workers, farmers, traders, transporters, youths, women and vulnerable groups had all felt the impact of current economic realities.

However, they maintained that the reforms being implemented by the Federal Government were essential to stabilising the economy, restoring public finances, attracting investments, strengthening productivity and improving security.

They stressed that their support for President Tinubu went beyond politics, describing it as a commitment to courageous leadership, policy continuity, stronger federal-state collaboration and a development agenda that rewards production, enterprise, agriculture, innovation and hard work.

Consequently, the governors declared their total support for President Tinubu and the continuation of the Renewed Hope Agenda beyond 2027, describing the decision as a commitment to national recovery, shared prosperity, democratic stability and the preservation of the Nigerian federation.

The governors urged Nigerians to remain united and look beyond present difficulties in the interest of the country’s long-term development.

According to them, the critical issue was not whether the reform process had been difficult, but whether Nigeria should abandon the reforms midway or sustain them while expanding relief measures for vulnerable citizens and allowing the foundations being laid to produce lasting benefits.

On insecurity, the governors acknowledged the persistence of security challenges over the past two decades and pledged both individual and collective commitment to the protection of lives and property.

They expressed concern over continuing threats to citizens’ safety, including kidnapping, school abductions, attacks on educational institutions, terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities.

The governors strongly condemned the abduction of children, attacks on schools, the killing of innocent and vulnerable citizens, and all acts of terror and criminality that undermine education, economic activities, public confidence and national peace.

They pledged stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, school authorities and local intelligence networks to improve school security, protect communities, rescue victims, prosecute offenders and restore public confidence.

The governors also expressed concern over reported xenophobic attacks against Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa.

While reaffirming respect for the sovereignty of South Africa and the cordial relations between both countries, they condemned all forms of xenophobia, mob violence, unlawful killings and the abuse of foreign nationals anywhere in the world.

They called on the relevant authorities to conduct transparent investigations into the incidents, protect law-abiding Nigerians and other African residents, and ensure justice in accordance with the law and established diplomatic norms.