A former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has described President Bola Tinubu as the “angel” sent by God to fix Nigeria.

He said this on Saturday during an endorsement rally for President Tinubu and Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, which was broadcast by TVC.

Bello said, “We will not wait for God to send an angel with wings to fly into Nigeria to fix it. Did I tell you who the angel is? The angel is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If you are waiting for that animation on the television, see an angel flying with a wing to come to Nigeria to come and fix it, you wait forever.”

Bello told supporters that Nigerians had long craved a “new Nigeria,” citing achievements such as the removal of oil subsidy, the introduction of student loans, the floating of the exchange rate, and policies that increased both government and individual wealth.

He urged citizens not to wait for miracles, saying the “angel” tasked with fixing the country was President Tinubu himself.

He said, “Everybody continues to crave a new Nigeria, new Nigeria, new Nigeria. Before 2015, we said we wanted a new Nigeria where there would be no oil subsidy. We want a new Nigeria where there will be student loans.

“We said we want a new Nigeria where the exchange rate will be floated. We said we want a new Nigeria where there will be more money in the pockets of both the government and individuals. We said we want a new Nigeria where foreign investment will continue to flow in.”

The former governor acknowledged that the government cannot fix everything immediately.

He noted that years of systemic decay make the process gradual.

He also promised continued support for Tinubu’s administration to ensure infrastructure and reforms are sustained.

He said, “Those of us and those of you who recognise that we are already in the new Nigeria, infrastructures are being fixed. Yes, no government can fix everything all at once because of the long years of decay in the system. It will take a while for anybody to be able to fix it. And Mr. President is fixing it, and he will fix it. We will support him to fix it.”

Bello emphasised the importance of legacy, stating that leadership without a lasting impact is meaningless.

He said, “Going into the future, not only the 2027 election, not just his second term, we want a situation where Mr. President will leave his legacy behind, and people like us, people like you, and other well-meaning Nigerians will continue to uphold his legacy because leadership without legacy is zero. It’s as good as you never come to power.”

Bello concluded by reflecting on his own contributions, declaring, “Today, I am happy. I feel fulfilled. This is my legacy. These are my legacies. Some of my legacies are watching me.”

Bello’s endorsement comes as political momentum builds ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Tinubu expected to seek a second term.

Tinubu has been credited by his allies with introducing significant economic and governance reforms since assuming office in 2023.

These include the removal of fuel subsidies, the introduction of student loans, the floating of the exchange rate, and policies designed to attract foreign investment and boost national revenue.

•Mbah ends PDP’s 26-year reign in Enugu, says devt vision guided decision to defect

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, has become the new leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state following his defection to the ruling party on Tuesday.

Shettima spoke during Mbah’s formal reception into the APC at Okpara Square, Enugu where thousands of former members and supporters of PDP converged to identify with the governor and the new party.

The vice president said, “As for the APC convention and constitution, the governor is the leader of the party in the state.”

“Your Excellency, you are now the leader of the APC family in Enugu state. I am the vice-president, but the leader of the APC in Borno is Governor Babagana Zulum.

“The president of the senate is the number three citizen, but the leader of the party in Akwa Ibom is Governor Umo Eno.

“The speaker of the house of representatives is the number four citizen, but the leader of the party in Kaduna is the governor of Kaduna state.”

He lamented that the south-east had been politically marginalised for over a decade, calling for greater inclusion under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

“For the past 12 years, the Ndigbo, one of the most vibrant ethnic groups in Africa, had been on the margin of Nigerian politics,” he said.

“But with the coming of Mbah and the continuous energy being exhibited by governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, I believe the Ndigbo have come to the mainstream of Nigeria.”

Vice President Shettima, who led delegation of the party, said Mbah’s entry into the APC had “removed the South-East from the margin of Nigerian politics” and assured the region of greater inclusion in federal development plans.

He described the Igbo people as one of the “most economically enterprising, educationally ambitious and vibrant tribes in Africa,” lamenting that the region had “lagged behind in national affairs” in the past decade.

“Now with the coming of Governor Peter Mbah; with the continuous energy being exhibited by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, I believe the Ndigbo have come to the mainstream of Nigerian politics,” he said.

Shettima described President Bola Tinubu as “a man for all seasons” who would ensure that the South-East’s interests were advanced. Turning to Mbah, he quipped: “I believe you had a broom hidden in your umbrella all these years, waiting for the right moment to bring it out.”

The APC has a broom as its symbol while the PDP features an umbrella. Shettima assured Mbah that he would be treated fairly in the party.

Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said Mbah’s movement to the APC would bring more development to the South-East, noting that “the entire Southeast senators have turned to the APC.” He added humorously that Enugu “is even more beautiful than Abuja,” praising the state’s infrastructure and potential.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also pledged equal treatment for Mbah, stressing that “no party can give you the platform to achieve all you want for your people better than the APC.”

Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, described Mbah’s decision as “bold and wise,” saying it had further strengthened Igbo reintegration into national politics.

APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, commended Mbah’s record in office, declaring that the governor had “taken the people from Egypt to the Promised Land.”

“Today we are seeing the new Enugu State. The PDP cannot house the kind of progressive mind that you have,” he said.

Mbah described his defection as a “collective decision” by the political family in Enugu, including all 17 local council chairmen, 260 councillors, 24 members of the state House of Assembly, National Assembly members, and over 80 per cent of PDP executives.

“We thought carefully about the path forward,” he said. “After much soul-searching, we concluded that we must stand for principles and institutions that honour transparency, trust, and above all, the people we serve.”

He said Enugu’s long loyalty to the PDP had yielded little benefit for the state and the South-East region.

“For decades, we stood by the PDP, showing loyalty and patience, but our voices were often disregarded when it mattered most. We are confident of our future in the APC; we move not from fear or resentment, but from conviction and fairness.”

Mbah added that the switch was not about personal ambition but about aligning with “a federal platform that reflects our development vision.”

“President Tinubu has shown the courage to make hard choices that ensure lasting prosperity. Our visions align, that roads, railways, and industries must connect the South-East with the rest of Nigeria. This move is bigger than politics; it is about Enugu’s place in the national reform agenda,” he said.

The governor commended the President’s focus on grassroots governance and youth empowerment, describing Tinubu as “a leader who understands that renewal must reach the farmer, trader, and entrepreneur.”

The rally was attended by 12 sitting governors; former governors, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Sullivan Chime, and Rochas Okorocha, as well as senators Adams Oshiomhole, Ned Nwoko, Orji Uzor Kalu, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Osita Ngwu, among others