Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo and National Co-ordinator, All Progressives Congress (APC) Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHAs), says he is confident that President Bola Tinubu will be re-elected in 2027, in spite of stiff opposition.

Mr Uzodimma said this at the opening of a two-day RHAs South-South Zonal Summit, with the theme, “One Party, One Message, One Mobilisation”, held on Monday in Asaba.

He said that for decades, the country ran on subsidy, multiple exchange rates that benefited only a few, a power sector that consumed revenue without delivering power, and a revenue system that was so distorted that states could not plan.

“But President Tinubu came and said it is enough, we will fix the system, this is no propaganda.

“Tinubu’s achievement speaks volume. These are facts – the results of bold transformative reforms.

“Yet, there is a disconnect between the elite and the grassroots.

“At the macro level, Nigeria is stabilising, the economy is being restructured, foundations rebuilt.

“But at the micro level, many Nigerians are still feeling the pains of the adjustment. This is the gap we must close.

“This is why the RHAs exist,” the governor said.

According to him, the president has done his work of reform; he has demonstrated that true leadership is about the courage to take necessary decisions, even if painful, in the interest of posterity.

He, therefore, charged the RHAs to help Nigerians at the grassroots understand government policies and programmes.

He explained that the summit would expose participants to a deeper understanding of the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA).

“We must help Nigerians understand that this pain is temporary, this is why you are RHAs.

“You are advocates of prosperity, representatives of the federal government.

“The gains of reforms are permanent but the pains are temporary, Nigeria is turning the corner, we are exiting the woods, the fruit of these reforms will soon begin to trickle in.

“In fact, some are already in. Food prices are gradually stabilising, the naira is gaining strength, inflation trending downwards.

“The people must not despair, not now that we are close to reaping the benefits of our resilience and sacrifice.

“This is where you come in as RHAs,” the governor said.

He further described the RHAs as “the interpreters of this vision, the translators of policy into everyday language, the bridge between government performance and citizens’ awareness.”

“Our task as RHAs and, indeed, as the ruling APC is not just to work for the re-election of the president; of course, Tinubu will be re-elected.

“The opposition has nothing to offer, it has no alternative vision.

“Our task is to get the people to understand and key into the vision of the president,” Mr Uzodimma said.

In a remark, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta described the summit as “a strategic platform to strengthen party structures and deepen grassroots mobilisation in the South-South region.”

Mr Oborevwori said that unity remains the foundation of political success, warning that “fragmented messaging will weaken the party’s impact and create opportunities for opposition forces.”

He called on stakeholders to sustain grassroots engagement, defend government policies, and translate support into electoral victories.

“Unity must be matched with action. We must take the message to the people, defend our reforms, and mobilise effectively,” he said.

Earlier, former Delta governor and South-South coordinator of the RHAs, Ifeanyi Okowa, said the summit was meant to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively communicate the administration’s reform agenda.

Mr Okowa explained that the president’s RHA was initiated to address long-standing economic and social challenges, including weak fiscal structures, unemployment, and low investor confidence.

He highlighted key achievements of the administration, including improved foreign reserves, increased oil production, expanded healthcare access, education reforms, and infrastructure development.

He admitted that a communication gap limited public appreciation of the gains.

According to him, ambassadors must actively engage citizens in markets, communities, and institutions, using facts and relatable examples to explain reforms and counter misinformation.

Also speaking, the chairman of the summit and South-West Coordinator of the RHAs, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, described the South-South as the economic backbone of Nigeria and expressed hope that APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 general elections.

He said that the region remains pivotal in determining Nigeria’s political direction and that its growing alignment with APC reflects increasing acceptance of the party’s policies and leadership.

Participants were drawn from the South-South states of Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers. 

(NAN)