President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday hosted 18 of the 36 governors who were his contemporaries in 1999, under the aegis of Class of 1999, at the State House, Abuja.
president Tinubu at a meeting with the former governors in the Council Chamber, said: “We served as governors and sat in this Council Chamber. All I wanted was democracy and the salvation of the country. I never thought I was going to be here as President, but God Almighty has brought me.’’
President Bola Tinubu hosting 1999 Governors, Class of 1999, at State House, Abuja
The President promised to work for “unity, equity, stability, and prosperity of the country’’.
Tinubu had declared: “My commitment to that democratic value is unwavering. I am overwhelmed and honored by the numbers of you here.
“I have an open door policy. You are my advisers. We went into the pond and wrestled with a pig. We got dirty, and cleaned up. That is why I am here today.’’
The President also promised to improve on the security of the country.
“We will do everything possible to stabilize the country,’’ President Tinubu had declared.
The former governors urged the President to pursue his vision for a greater Nigeria with vigour, steadfastness, and resilience, trusting their support for development policies, and promising to provide the necessary social structure for actualization.
Chairman of the Class of 1999, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State, had stated: “We are here with you. We are your foot soldiers, and you can tap into our experience. You are a person who believes in Nigeria. With your good leadership, Nigeria will take its place.’’
Participants at the meeting included President Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State 1999 to 2007; former Governor George Akume of Benue State, now Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, Sen. Orji Uzo Kalu, Abia State; Sen. Sam Egwu, Ebonyi State; Adamu Muazu, Bauchi State; Donald Duke, Cross River State; James Ibori, Delta State; Obong Victor Attah, Akwa Ibom State; Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu State; Saminu Turaki, Jigawa State; Sen. Aleiro Adamu, Kebbi State; Olusegun Osoba, Ogun State; Adebisi Akande, Osun State; Sen. Joshua Dariye, Plateau State; Attahiru Bafarawa, Sokoto State; Ahmad Sani Yarima, Zamfara State; a nd Rev. Jolly Nyame, Taraba State.