ASABA/Nigeria: Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State have called for a unified communication strategy and intensified grassroots mobilisation to sustain Nigeria’s reform agenda and strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two leaders made the call on Monday at the South-South Strategic Communications and Mobilisation Summit themed “One Party, One Message, One Mobilisation,” held at Government House, Asaba, where party leaders and stakeholders converged to fine-tune strategies for effective engagement with citizens.
Uzodimma, who also serves as Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said the summit had produced a comprehensive national work plan with clear timelines, responsibilities, and deliverables aimed at driving economic growth and national development.
He described the plan as the “compass and spine” guiding the activities of Renewed Hope Ambassadors nationwide, stressing the need for coordinated messaging to bridge the gap between government performance and public perception.
According to him, while Nigeria is recording improvements in key macroeconomic indicators, including GDP growth, increased oil production, and enhanced revenue allocation, many citizens are yet to fully feel the impact of these gains.
“You are the interpreters of government vision and the bridge between performance and public understanding. You must go where the President cannot reach and explain reforms in ways people understand,” Uzodimma charged participants.
He acknowledged that policy measures such as fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments have imposed temporary hardship but maintained that they are necessary steps to correct long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
The Imo governor urged stakeholders to adopt a more conversational and people-centred communication approach, emphasising the importance of listening, transparency, and data-driven engagement, while countering misinformation with verifiable facts.
In his remarks, Governor Oborevwori, who hosted the summit, described the gathering as a critical platform for strengthening party structures and deepening grassroots mobilisation across the South-South region.
He stressed that unity of purpose remains essential for political success, warning that fragmented messaging could weaken the party’s influence and create openings for opposition forces.
“Unity must be matched with action. We must take the message to the people, defend our reforms, and mobilise effectively,” Oborevwori said.
Earlier, former Delta State Governor and South-South Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, explained that the summit was designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge required to effectively communicate the administration’s reform agenda.
Okowa noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was introduced to address deep-rooted economic and social challenges, including weak fiscal systems, unemployment, and low investor confidence.
He highlighted gains recorded by the administration, such as improved foreign reserves, increased oil production, expanded healthcare access, education reforms, and infrastructure development, while admitting that inadequate communication has limited public appreciation of these achievements.
He urged ambassadors to engage citizens directly in markets, communities, and institutions, using relatable examples to explain government policies and counter misleading narratives.
Also speaking, Chairman of the occasion and South-West Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Adedayo Adeyeye, described the South-South as Nigeria’s economic backbone and expressed optimism that the APC would secure victory in the 2027 general elections.
He said the region remains pivotal to Nigeria’s political trajectory, adding that increasing alignment with the APC reflects growing acceptance of the party’s leadership and policies.
Participants were urged to replicate the strategies discussed at the summit across their respective states and local government areas, with emphasis on measurable actions, sustained engagement, and message consistency.
The summit also attracted top party officials, including Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme; APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka; Deputy National Chairman (South), Emmanuel Eneukwu; South-South Chairman, Victor Giadom; Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; as well as members of the National and State Assemblies.
The event concluded with a strong call for discipline, commitment, and coordinated action, as party leaders emphasised that the success of ongoing reforms and future electoral victories would depend largely on effective communication, grassroots mobilisation, and sustained public engagement.
