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The Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government (SSG), Dr Labaran Magaji, has canvassed support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, saying the president’s reforms have boosted revenue available to states and reduced the financial burden of education on Nigerian families.
Magaji, who spoke on Saturday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) solidarity rally in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, said the gains recorded under the Tinubu administration justified the call for continuity beyond 2027.
He specifically cited the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said had helped reduce the burden of tuition on parents and students, as well as the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had improved federal allocations to states.
According to him, the increased revenue available to Nasarawa State had provided the government with more resources to execute infrastructure projects and invest in human capital development.
The SSG, who is also the Nasarawa State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and convener of the rally, therefore urged the people of Toto to support Tinubu’s second-term bid and the APC governorship candidate in the state, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.
He said the people of Toto had spoken with one voice in support of Tinubu and Wadada, urging them not to allow political differences to divide the community ahead of the 2027 elections.
Magaji said the rally was also an opportunity to demonstrate the APC’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable people, announcing the disbursement of N25 million to 500 widows and vulnerable women in Toto under the Matawalle Empowerment and Development Foundation.
Each beneficiary, he said, would receive N50,000 in cash.
“This empowerment is to complement what the APC-led government is doing at all levels; each widow will receive N50,000 in cash through the Matawalle Empowerment and Development Foundation.
“The N25 million is in cash, and it is available now, not a promise. This is just the beginning. God willing, we will do more,” he said.
Magaji, who serves as executive director of the foundation, said it had implemented several empowerment programmes over the past 10 years.
He listed the distribution of wrappers to 2,000 Christian women and 2,000 Muslim women, scholarships for 1,000 youths, grants to 3,000 women and the distribution of sewing machines to youths among the interventions carried out by the foundation.
The SSG also used the occasion to highlight what he described as the achievements of the Sule administration in Toto, particularly in the areas of security and infrastructure.
He commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for restoring peace in the area, saying the local government had previously experienced kidnappings and ransom demands.
“You will recall that kidnappers used to kidnap our people in broad daylight and take them into the bush, forcing us to pay ransom. But today there is peace courtesy of the governor, who is working tirelessly with security chiefs and has restored peace,” he said.
Magaji also commended the governor for addressing gully erosion in Toto, saying the threat had persisted despite inspections by previous administrations.
He listed the completion of the Toto bypass, Umaisha Road and Toto market among projects being undertaken by the state government, alongside the construction of a mini stadium and other roads within Toto town.
On social infrastructure, the SSG announced plans to provide generator sets to power boreholes across the local government, while four additional primary healthcare centres would also be constructed in Toto.
The state APC Secretary, Dr Yarus Dagusa, said the APC remained the dominant political force in Nasarawa State and Nigeria.
He urged party members to remain united and follow the direction of the party leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Toto LGA, Pharm Baba-Ahmed Yayaha, said the people of the area had no reason to abandon the APC, citing what he described as the party’s record of appointments, peace and development.
Yayaha said the improved security situation had encouraged residents who previously fled their communities to return.
He added that the return of peace had also enabled the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to resume the posting of corps members to the local government.
