By Remi Johnson
A new socio-political movement, Nigeria Forward, has been unveiled in Abuja to mobilise grassroots support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, one of the promoters and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh, said the movement was established to mobilise citizens in support of the Tinubu administration and promote the gains of its Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr Udeh said Nigeria Forward would engage Nigerians at the grassroots to assess the impact of government policies and projects in their communities and encourage active participation in national development.
He said the movement would not reduce Nigeria’s development story, particularly in the northern region, to political slogans or isolated announcements of projects.
According to him, members would ask critical questions about government projects, including what was being built, where the projects were located, the problems they were designed to address, who benefited from them and what remained to be done.
Dr Udeh said the platform would serve as a bridge between government policies and citizens, investments, opportunities, institutions and communities, while promoting innovation, digital transformation, youth development, skills acquisition and enterprise.
He noted that infrastructure such as roads, railways, electricity and digital connectivity should ultimately translate into improved economic opportunities and better livelihoods for Nigerians.
The minister said Nigeria possessed enormous human capital, entrepreneurial energy, agricultural potential and access to domestic and regional markets, stressing the need to convert these resources into productive capacity and sustainable opportunities.
He urged members of the Nigeria Forward to mobilise responsibly across the country by highlighting the achievements of the government while identifying challenges confronting citizens and communicating them to the relevant authorities.
Udeh commended the founders and members of the Nigeria Forward for establishing the platform and urged them to make its motto, “Together, We Move Nigeria Forward,” a commitment to service, citizenship and national development.
He also called on members to support the renewal of President Tinubu’s mandate in the 2027 presidential election.
Udeh acknowledged the support of governors, ministers, political leaders, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, women entrepreneurs and other stakeholders for the initiative.
“This is the essence of informed citizenship. Patriotism does not require us to abandon accountability. Indeed, responsible citizenship demands both.”
“Our campaign must contribute to building Nigeria. Our mobilisation must contribute to building the dreams of our forebears and making reality the visions of our young and entrepreneurial citizens,” Udeh said.
Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waya, urged the leadership and members of the movement to make evidence, inclusiveness, innovation and national unity the foundation of their activities.
Comrade Waiya said the platform would reach communities across the country and particularly engage young Nigerians in understanding and assessing the impact of government policies and programmes.