The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allowing the electoral process to operate without interference, describing the approach as a demonstration of commitment to democratic principles.
Akume gave the commendation on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the National Headquarters of the City Boy Movement, where he described President Tinubu as a true democrat committed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
According to an official statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume cited the recently concluded Osun State governorship election as an example of the President’s respect for the independence of the electoral process.
“The President never bothered to intervene in the electoral process that was recently concluded in Osun State. That is what democracy should be about. It is way better than what used to happen in the past,” the SGF said.
Akume said the President’s approach to governance reflected a determination to strengthen democratic institutions while implementing reforms aimed at rebuilding the Nigerian economy.
He highlighted reforms and interventions in taxation, education, healthcare, agriculture, water resources and women empowerment as areas where the administration was making progress.
The SGF specifically cited ongoing efforts towards a unified tax system, describing the reforms as part of measures to establish a more efficient and transparent fiscal environment.
He also referenced interventions through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the expansion of specialised healthcare facilities as evidence of progress in the education and health sectors.
Akume urged Nigerians to view the country’s ethnic, cultural and religious diversity as an asset capable of strengthening national unity rather than a source of division.
“This is a huge country with diverse people. We should not turn this diversity and pluralism into negativity. We should use these to build our country in a positive way,” he said.
He also called on members of the City Boy Movement to remain committed to national development and effectively communicate the policies and achievements of the administration to Nigerians.
“Never look back and don’t allow anyone to deceive you. You are adequately positioned to communicate the achievements of this administration to the people,” Akume said.
The SGF urged Nigerians to support initiatives promoting national unity, development and democratic consolidation, stressing that the country’s abundant human and natural resources could be harnessed to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Earlier, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Shoga Francis, expressed appreciation to Akume for visiting the movement’s National Headquarters, describing the visit as a demonstration of his commitment to engaging young Nigerians and grassroots stakeholders in nation building.
Shoga reaffirmed the movement’s support for President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it would expand its grassroots mobilisation structures across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and its diaspora structures.
He disclosed that the movement planned to mobilise 10 million young Nigerians through an extensive membership drive ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the initiative would create a broad-based network of young Nigerians to engage communities, communicate government policies and programmes, address public concerns and promote informed and responsible participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Shoga said the movement would strengthen its membership registration and expand its structures to ward and polling-unit levels while promoting national unity, peaceful mobilisation and responsible democratic participation.
A major highlight of the visit was the conferment of the position of Chairperson, Advisory Council of the City Boy Movement on Akume in recognition of his contributions to the Renewed Hope Agenda and his commitment to engaging youths in nation building.
