As the 2027 general elections approach, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has urged the Federal Government and states controlled by the All Progressive Congress (APC), to publicise achievements, as their continued silence was being exploited by the opposition.
“There are gains, but a gap persists. There is a disconnect. Cynicism remains because the communication of reform outcomes has not matched the pace of the reforms themselves.
“The opposition has exploited this gap with relentless propaganda. The problem is not policy failure. The problem is a communication failure. And that failure is on us.”
Uzodinma spoke in Abuja at the recent Progressive Governors Forum (PGF)’s Renewed Hope Ambassadors Summit.
The Imo governor, who is the PGF Chairman, emphasised the need for the leaders to “reinvent our identity, unify our structures and bring us into one indestructible, strong and united family driven by one unassailable vision and focus”.
He said that all instruments must be mobilised to “bridge the gap between the profound transformative work President Bola Tinubu has done, and is still doing, for Nigeria, and the lived reality of millions of Nigerians who have not yet felt its full impact”.
According to him, those entrusted with the responsibility of translating policy into public awareness must fully embrace that role.
He reminded the audience that included President Tinubu, governors and ministers, that Nigeria was at a defining democratic phase and was being tested by economic shocks, digital misinformation, geopolitical uncertainty, and rising citizen expectations.
He said that hopes were rising as Mr President was reforming the nation’s macroeconomic architecture, repositioning fiscal systems, rebuilding public infrastructure, strengthening security apparatus, expanding digital inclusion, and managing democratic competition.
“In such a season, clarity becomes national security. Citizens today are more informed, but not always more accurately informed.
“Social media amplifies speed, but not necessarily context. Reform, by its nature, creates discomfort before it creates stability.
“The central democratic challenge before us is how we ensure that structural reform is understood, defended, internalised and translated into citizen trust at the grassroots.
“This is crucial because policy success without citizen understanding creates perception gaps. And perception gaps weaken democratic legitimacy. This is why we are here.”
While noting that decisions that secure long-term national stability rarely generate immediate applause, he recalled that when Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, he inherited an economy in distress.
“We all know this. Even our opponents know this. The signs were everywhere: depleted foreign reserves, runaway inflation, crippled oil production, and a subsidy regime that was bleeding the treasury dry whilst enriching a few.
“Previous administrations had postponed the day of reckoning until it could be postponed no longer, else the nation would collapse.
“Tinubu did what needed to be done: he front-loaded the reforms in the nation’s interest. And for us in the ruling party, the benefits of these reforms have thankfully kicked in just as we approach the end of the political cycle.
“Some might say this was too great a risk, but it has paid off. And the enemies of Nigeria are not happy.
“It is, therefore, not only our partisan duty, but our patriotic obligation to propagate these results to every man, woman, and youth until every Nigerian, including our opponents, acknowledges the good work of our great party and our beloved President.
“Fortunately, the facts are on our side. We just need a bit of storytelling to get our message across in the midst of all the malicious noise,” he said.
