2027: FG agency heads begin mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election

Federal Government appointees heading agencies, departments and government parastatals across ministries, departments and agencies have begun a coordinated mobilisation for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

The mobilisation was announced at the maiden meeting of the Forum of PBAT CEOs held in Abuja on Thursday, where the agency heads called for continuity of the reforms and programmes of the Tinubu administration.

The forum, which comprises Federal Government appointees serving as heads of agencies, departments and government parastatals across the MDAs including the Registrar, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Dr Ronke Soyombo, Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof Adeyanju Ibrahim, Managing Director General, NACETEM, Dr Olushola Odusanya, Managing Director of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, George Olumoroti, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, Aliyu Tajudeen, Managing Director of the Sheda Science and Technology, Magaji Da’u Aliyu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Ebitimi Amgbare, among others, said continuity was necessary to consolidate the gains of ongoing reforms.

The meeting, convened by the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Dr Kazeem Raji, was themed, “Strengthening Collective Leadership, Mobilisation and Support for the Re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

In his welcome address, Raji said the forum was established not merely as an association or social platform but as a strategic vehicle for collective leadership, coordination, experience-sharing, policy support and mobilisation.

He described the agency heads as “foot soldiers of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” stressing that their performance in their respective institutions would ultimately shape public perception of the administration.

“We are the foot soldiers of the Renewed Hope Agenda. Every policy of government ultimately becomes meaningful only when it is translated into measurable impact in the lives of our citizens. That responsibility rests substantially on our shoulders,” Raji said.

According to him, the appointees must go beyond implementing government policies by measuring, documenting and communicating the impact of their work to Nigerians.

“We must therefore not only deliver; we must communicate, document, amplify and properly position the achievements of our respective institutions,” he said.

Raji said the forum would work to strengthen unity among presidential appointees, facilitate inter-agency collaboration, eliminate duplication, align agencies with the administration’s priorities and showcase measurable achievements.

He added that the forum would seek to build a coordinated network capable of mobilising support for the continuity and consolidation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The convener also called for grassroots engagement through professional networks, communities, states and other legitimate platforms, while urging members to participate in the political process within the law.

“We must not sit on the fence. We must be active participants in the democratic process, within the law, with integrity, discipline and respect for the choices of every Nigerian,” Raji said.

He stressed that the mobilisation should be based on persuasion and government performance rather than coercion.

“Our responsibility is not to compel anyone. It is to inform, engage, persuade through performance and present the facts about the progress being made,” he said.

Raji anchored the forum’s call for Tinubu’s re-election on the need for policy continuity, arguing that long-term reforms require time and consistency to deliver their full benefits.

“The central message before us is simple: One good term deserves another,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria could not afford to repeatedly interrupt long-term development programmes because of political transitions.

“Where policies are working, they should be strengthened. Where programmes are yielding results, they should be expanded. Where reforms require adjustment, they should be improved. And where institutions are delivering, they should be supported to deliver even better,” he said.

Raji described Tinubu as a “courageous reformer and visionary leader,” citing the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, fiscal and tax reforms, power sector reforms, development finance, infrastructure expansion and efforts to attract investment.

He said the Federal Government had reported progress in public finances, infrastructure development, domestic refining capacity, compressed natural gas infrastructure, education, housing, agriculture, healthcare, technology, innovation, power and digital connectivity.

“These achievements deserve to be communicated responsibly and clearly to Nigerians,” Raji said.

He urged the agency heads to take ownership of the administration’s achievements by providing evidence of the impact of their institutions.

“What has my agency achieved? How many Nigerians have benefited? How many jobs have we facilitated? How much investment have we attracted?

“What innovation have we commercialised? What infrastructure have we delivered? What opportunities have we created? What measurable difference have we made? And then, most importantly: Have Nigerians heard about it?” he asked.

Raji said the forum would seek to maintain a balance between political participation and professionalism in public service.

He said the platform should be characterised by “unity without uniformity, loyalty without sycophancy, support without compromising professionalism, and political participation without abandoning the principles of public service.”

The development comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with Tinubu expected to seek re-election after his first term, which began in May 2023.

The administration has pursued major economic reforms since assuming office, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to foreign exchange management, alongside fiscal and tax reforms.

While the government has pointed to improvements in investment, government revenue, infrastructure and domestic refining, the reforms have also attracted criticism over inflation and their impact on the cost of living.

Against this backdrop, the agency heads’ forum is seeking to use the institutional and professional networks of its members to communicate the government’s achievements and build support for continuity.

Raji said the forum would ultimately be judged by its ability to produce results and strengthen the relationship between government and citizens.

“Let us build a forum that Nigerians will respect. Let us build a forum that produces results. Let us build a forum that strengthens the connection between government and the people,” he said.

He urged members to bring their experience, influence, networks and institutional capacity to the platform.

“Mr President has given us the mandate. Let us give him our best.

“He has entrusted us with responsibility. Let us repay that confidence with performance,” he added.