The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has stated that the intervention programs initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are consistently proving that the Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding significant economic advantages for millions of Nigerians through strategic investments in entrepreneurship, small enterprises, and youth empowerment.

Professor Yilwatda indicated that the Presidential Intervention Funds serve as another illustration of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to fulfilling its campaign pledges by offering essential financial assistance necessary to stimulate business activities, generate employment, and enhance economic inclusion nationwide.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the National Chairman emphasised that for many years, access to affordable financing has been one of the primary challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), despite their substantial role in driving national economic growth and job creation.

He remarked that the current administration has intentionally sought to tackle this issue through focused intervention programs aimed at unlocking the entrepreneurial capabilities of Nigerians.

“The Tinubu administration recognises that sustainable economic development starts with empowering the productive sector. By supporting small businesses and young entrepreneurs, the government is establishing a foundation for enduring prosperity and collective economic advancement,” he asserted.

Professor Yilwatda underscored the N75 billion Presidential Intervention Fund for MSMEs as a significant initiative aimed at providing accessible financing for small businesses across diverse sectors of the economy. He noted that this program is enabling entrepreneurs to broaden their operations, enhance productivity, and generate job opportunities.

He further highlighted the N11 billion support package provided through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), characterizing it as a strategic investment aimed at enhancing the capacity and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises in Nigeria.

The APC National Chairman also praised the N30 billion Youth Entrepreneurship Fund facilitated by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, emphasizing that this initiative embodies President Tinubu’s dedication to equipping young Nigerians with the necessary resources to turn innovative ideas into thriving businesses and to serve as catalysts for national development.

Professor Yilwatda underscored that these initiatives are already effecting significant changes in the lives of everyday Nigerians. Throughout the nation, young entrepreneurs, artisans, farmers, traders, tailors, manufacturers, and various small business owners are gaining access to capital, enabling them to grow their enterprises, create additional jobs, and contribute to the economic advancement of their communities.

He elaborated that the impact of these initiatives transcends individual beneficiaries, generating a multiplier effect characterized by increased productivity, elevated household incomes, more robust local economies, and broader opportunities for wealth generation.

“The APC is steadfast in its commitment to fostering an economy that benefits all Nigerians. These intervention funds are not simply policy declarations; they represent tangible investments in the dreams and aspirations of millions of our citizens.

“The evidence is unmistakable. Businesses are receiving assistance, young individuals are being empowered, jobs are being generated, and economic inclusion is on the rise. This is governance that yields results, and it serves as further proof that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fulfilling his promises to the Nigerian populace,” Professor Yilwatda stated.

He reiterated the APC’s and the Tinubu administration’s commitment to enacting policies that encourage entrepreneurship, stimulate investment, bolster local industries, and cultivate a resilient economy capable of delivering sustainable growth.

Aslam Aliyu, a political ally of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said there is no vacancy in the Presidential Villa until 2031.

Aliyu said President Bola Tinubu will emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement she released in Abuja, announcing her resignation from the ADC and defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aliyu called the opposition party a “hoax.”

Aliyu also showed her support for Tinubu, saying her choice came after many years of working with the opposition, which she said did not offer a real plan for the country’s progress.

“After almost twenty years of working hard to make progress, it’s very clear that the opposition doesn’t have a real plan for development or a practical and lasting solution to save the country,” she said.

Aliyu said the opposition group didn’t have trust within its own members.

She also said the ADC didn’t have a real plan for the country, arguing that their approach was just criticizing the federal government without giving any real solutions.

She said, “Nigeria is fed up with political figures who only take photos and act like they’re filming, but don’t really care about the country.”

Aliyu asked her followers to become members of the APC and said that President Tinubu will win another term in 2027.

She said, “There are no available rooms in Aso Rock Villa because President Tinubu will win the presidential election in 2027, thanks to Almighty Allah.”

Reports reaching DAILY POST from the camp of a former deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja indicate that Arapaja has perfected plans to join All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

DAILY POST gathered that the planned defection is coming a few hours after the former lawmaker met President Bola Tinubu. 

Arapaja met Tinubu in Abuja two days ago, after which he also met some chieftains of APC from Oyo State at his residence in Abuja on Tuesday. 

The meeting was attended by the gubernatorial candidate of APC in the state, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli, deputy gubernatorial candidate, Mr Adesoji Adedeji and Oyo South Senatorial candidate of the party, Hon Aderemi Oseni, Arapaja’s loyalists and supporters and other notable personalities from the State. 

Sources at the meeting disclosed it centered on the planned defection of Arapaja to APC. 

Both Makinde and Arapaja belong to the same faction of PDP until recent moves by Arapaja to join APC. 

Arapaja has been a close ally of Makinde since inception of his administration in 2019. 

He had earlier served as National Vice Chairman (South West) and later served as Deputy National Chairman (South) for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. 

He also serves as National Secretary of a PDP faction loyal to Makinde. 

DAILY POST reports that Arapaja who hails from Idi Arere in Ibadan has been in active politics since the inception of this current fourth republic in 1999. 

He served as Chairman of Ibadan South East local government area between 1999 and 2002. 

Arapaja represented Ibadan North East/ Ibadan South East federal constituency on the platform of PDP between 2003 and 2007 and later served as Deputy Governor when late Adebayo Alao-Akala was the Governor between 2007 and 2011.