Governors have asked residents to believe in a better Nigeria and promised to deliver more democratic dividends to them in 2023 which began Sunday.
Leading the charge is Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who, while congratulating the people of the state on the New Year, unveiled his progressive agenda for 2023.
AbdulRazaq prayed that the new calendar ushers in glad tidings and greater things for everyone in the state and Nigeria in general.
“Everyone can attain their full potential on the strength of their hard work, talents and God’s grace, and not necessarily on account of any political affiliations,” he said.
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Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa in his New Year message urged citizens to continue to live in peace and harmony for more development.
He urged residents to start by defining for themselves the kind of future they want.
The governor also urged politicians to pursue issue-based campaigns instead of campaign of calumny, hatred and winning at all cost.
The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, during the service to usher in the New Year held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peters, Ake, Abeokuta, called on Nigerians to continue to hold to their faith in Almighty God, in the New Year.
He noted that even though things were tough and hard, it was only through hope and faith that trials and tribulations can be defeated.
The governor, who also noted that his administration would continue to carry on with the people-oriented projects across the state, added that the government had signed its Social Investment Programme which would ensure that it directly sends money into the accounts of the poor and the unemployed every month.
Adeleke, Diri, Oyebanji promise better days
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke reassured residents of the state of good governance while promising to remain responsive and accountable towards repositioning the state for greater heights.
Adeleke, in his New Year address to the people of the state on Sunday in Osogbo, said in spite of the tension and anxiety in 2022, the state had gallantly emerged stronger with the support and goodwill of everyone.
The governor further said his administration had created a strong working relationship among the three arms of government.
Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, assured people of the state of better days ahead, despite the several challenges they passed through in 2022.
Speaking during a statewide New Year broadcast on Sunday, Diri acknowledged the challenges of the outgone year but expressed optimism that with the help of Almighty God, as well as the careful planning being implemented by his administration, the state would fare better in 2023.
He called on the people of the state to put their differences aside and resolve to work together to achieve the dreams of the Bayelsa founding fathers, especially as the 2023 general elections were approaching.
Ekiti State governor, Biodun Oyebanji, in his own message urged the people of the state to look forward to 2023 with great hope and expectations for overall development and positive turnaround in all sectors.
He expressed hope that 2023 would be a “year of giant lift for Ekiti”, calling for the support of the people to make the dream a reality.
He assured the people that they would witness “massive improvement in security, infrastructure and government services than we have ever seen,” adding that 2023 promises to be a glorious year of strong beginning for the government and people of Ekiti State.”
Bello, Soludo, lament thuggery, insecurity
Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has warned against the use thugs and campaigns of bitterness as politicians begin full campaigns ahead of the 2023 elections in the state.
Bello, in a New Year message by his chief press secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, emphasised the need for issues-based campaigns among candidates and their loyalists.
While assuring that the APC-led government would continue to focus on the welfare of the people, Bello said the ruling party remained the most viable option for the citizens ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He prayed for the sustenance of peace and unity in the state and country, adding that the collective prosperity of a people was dependent on their unity and peaceful coexistence.
In his New Year message, Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, commended the Edo people for their resilience in the face of daunting challenges to earn a living.
He pledged to sustain the ongoing reforms and projects across various sectors of the state’s economy aimed at improving the livelihoods of the people and achieving economic prosperity.
He said his administration was transitioning Edo from a civil service-dominated state to one attracting manufacturing, commercial agricultural concerns, service and technology companies, real estate and several SMEs, among others.
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, in his New Year message stated that there were enough reasons to celebrate in the state.
He said despite the daunting challenges, Anambra people had continued to win from all fronts.
He assured that 2023 would usher in accelerated development and progress in the state and Nigeria while wishing the people a bountiful 2023.
Obi speaks
Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has called on all Nigerians to unite their efforts in the journey of taking back the nation.
Obi said “2023 is a very critical year that will determine the next direction of the nation”.
He explained that the nation could not continue in its retrogressive movement in the coming years, as that would result in its total collapse.
He called on Nigerians to hold him accountable for his promises of a better nation when given access to power.
In his own statement on Sunday, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), urged Nigerians to keep hope alive despite the prevailing economic hardship and security challenges in the country.
Lamenting insecurity that has taken over in the South East, Okechukwu noted that the Igbo were particularly known for communal living and conferring among themselves both at home and in the diaspora.
He said the New Year holiday was an opportunity for introspection on the incomprehensible and prevalent destruction of lives, property, and economy of Igbo land with a view to building lasting peace and calm in the homeland.
2023 will be positive turnaround, says CAN
Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged all Nigerians, especially religious and political leaders, to be conscious that there is life after the 2023 general elections so should shun divisive acts and utterances.
The president of the association, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, made the call on Saturday in Abuja in his New Year message.
He said 2022 was filled with a seeming unabated climate of fear and uncertainty not just in Nigeria, but across the world.
“However, as Christians, we testify of God’s kindness and faithfulness in 2022, considering the unconscionable attempts by criminal elements wielding sophisticated weapons to stake a claim on our lives and freedom as well as the steady decline in the national economy.
“Our politicians should realise that we don’t have any other country but Nigeria. Consequently, this reality should inspire them to be more responsible in playing politics with the best interest of the masses at heart.
“In the same vein, religious leaders should know that there is life after the general elections of 2023. Therefore, our speeches and conduct should focus on encouraging our people to build a Nigeria where equity, justice and fairness will reign supreme,” Okoh said.
He urged security agencies not to relent in their efforts to ensure safety and security in the country and also support the conduct of peaceful 2023 general elections.
Okoh also urged the government to do more to stop the downward trend of the economy by checking the sources of leakages and wastage of national resources in 2023.
By Abbas Jimoh, Balarabe Alkassim (Abuja), Peter Moses (Abeokuta), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado Ekiti), Abubakar Akote (Minna), Usman A. Bello (Benin) & Titus Eleweke (Awka)
