President Bola Tinubu has declared that democracy in Nigeria will endure despite intimidation, assuring that his administration remains committed to building a stronger nation.
The President made the remarks while receiving a high-level delegation from Enugu State led by Governor Peter Mbah at the State House.
Tinubu commended Mbah for efforts to address insecurity and improve healthcare, education and infrastructure in the state.
“We will do everything to ensure that the Nigerian dream is realised. The hope you enunciated in your remarks is not a pipe dream. It’s real and achievable, and we’ll achieve it together,” the President said.
“Democracy will survive despite all intimidation. Ignore the naysayers. Stay focused. When you succeed and they are angry, let them be. I do not lose sleep over criticism because we are committed to building a nation of bright hope for our children.”
The President also criticised past electricity privatisation efforts, saying they left the country with persistent power shortages.
“These are leaders who had privatised electricity, which is not working. They gave us darkness, and we are trying to get through it to build a nation of bright hope and joyful people and leave our children with a life worthy of pride,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the delegation for its support, noting that development progress reported by states reflects the impact of his administration’s economic reforms.
He also praised state governors for utilising resources released to sub-national governments to improve healthcare, education, infrastructure and citizens’ welfare.
According to the President, the recent political realignments in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress were partly driven by the outcomes of the government’s reforms.
“You have been a transformative leader, and we genuinely appreciate what is evolving in Enugu today as we witness rapid development of the state,” Tinubu told Mbah.
“The results you are outlining—security, infrastructure, education and healthcare—are evidence that reform is working and that Nigeria is moving forward.”
Tinubu also pledged continued federal support for infrastructure development, including the proposed railway line connecting Port Harcourt and Enugu, as well as reforms in the power sector.
He noted that funding challenges for long-term projects had been eased through additional financial releases to states, enabling better development planning and execution.
In his remarks, Mbah said the delegation visited the Presidential Villa to express solidarity with the President and support for his vision of building a strong economic foundation for Nigeria.
“This visit is symbolic because it speaks to our shared future and commitment to progress,” the governor said.
“We have come to express our deepest gratitude for your engagement and investment in the people of Enugu State.”
Mbah also indicated that leaders in the state would support Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
“We will stand proudly with you on election day in January 2027,” he said.
The governor highlighted projects inaugurated by the President during his January 2025 visit to Enugu, noting that they had boosted socio-economic development in the state.
Also speaking, former Senate President Ken Nnamani thanked the President for his support for Enugu and the South-East region, particularly in infrastructure development.
Nnamani said the achievements recorded by the state government were made possible through cooperation with the federal government.
He added that the people of Enugu would reciprocate the support.
“The entire population of Enugu State would have loved to come here to say a big thank you, Mr President,” he said.
The delegation included the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of the Air Staff Sunday Kelvin Aneke; former Enugu governors Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, among other political, traditional and religious leaders.
