The Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence has urged northern governors of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to embrace the vision of President Bola Tinubu to transform Nigeria. 

This followed the recent defection of former Delta State Governor and vice presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the incumbent Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, alongside members of the Delta State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, party leaders, and faithful supporters from the PDP to the APC.

The group, led by its national president, Bature Haruna, and Hon. Mark Okpanachi Ogah, FCT Coordinator, stated during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the defection as a landmark event.

The statement added, „this homecoming is more than a political realignment; it is a strategic and symbolic endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The group at the conference, tagged “Celebrating Delta’s Homecoming: Strengthening APC for National Growth,” noted that the decision reflects a deep commitment to national progress, unity, and a shared desire to reposition Nigeria on the path of sustainable development. 

“To our respected Arewa Governors who are still undecided, we offer a sincere call to action: the time is now to embrace the vision of President Tinubu. Progress waits for no one. Let us rise above partisanship and focus on national interest,” it said. 

The group also advised the suspended governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, to realign with his political mentor and benefactor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, in the spirit of political wisdom and foresight. 

“Political legacy is best preserved through loyalty, dialogue, and unity of purpose. Any honest account of recent political history cannot ignore Wike’s instrumental role in Governor Fubara’s emergence. It is, therefore, both strategic and noble for Governor Fubara to embrace reconciliation and forge a united front for the peace and progress of Rivers State and the nation at large,” it added. 

The youths also called on other states in the South-South, particularly the Governors of Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa, to consider joining the ruling party. They said they appreciated the President‘s performance and that now is the time to fully align with his transformational vision by joining the progressive family. 

It also appealed to the Governors of Oyo and Osun States, who are kinsmen of President Tinubu, to support his developmental strides directly by aligning with his political direction, even as he called on the Governors of Enugu and Abia to consider the greater good and come on board the Renewed Hope train. 

The group commended Abdullahi Ganduje, the chairman of the APC, for his leadership role since his assumption of office, stressing that one of the national chairman‘s sagacious and assertive leadership qualities is his propensity for election victory.

“Under his leadership, the APC has won 4 out of the 5 off-season elections in the country. These achievements underscore the strategic acumen and organisational discipline of the Ganduje-led administration. 

“Again, his continued loyalty to the Renew Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is commendable. This character has endeared the All Progressive Party to most opposition parties, as seen in the current season of decamping to the APC across the country. This is the first of its kind. 

The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his numerous achievements within two years in office, which include removing the fuel subsidy, saving trillions, redirecting funds to infrastructure, unifying the forex market, boosting investor confidence, and massive road, rail, and coastal highway projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

Others include security interventions with improved intelligence and military hardware, youth empowerment programs and digital skills training, the implementation of student loans for tertiary education, and Social investment initiatives targeting vulnerable Nigerians.