Former Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Engr. Ahmad Salihijo, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, mobilising political and grassroots support across key constituencies.
Salihijo, who recently earned public commendation following his exoneration in investigations into the affairs of the agency, declared that continuity in leadership remains critical to sustaining the gains recorded in Nigeria’s power sector and broader economic reforms under Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, the former REA boss described President Tinubu’s leadership as “courageous and reform-driven,” noting that difficult but necessary decisions taken since 2023 were beginning to reposition Nigeria’s economy for long-term stability.
According to him, the administration’s commitment to expanding electricity access to underserved and unserved communities through ongoing rural electrification initiatives demonstrates a practical understanding of the link between power supply, small business growth, and poverty reduction.
Salihijo emphasised that stable policy direction is essential for infrastructural projects with long gestation periods, particularly in the power sector. He argued that a second term would allow the President to consolidate reforms, deepen institutional accountability, and fast-track projects already in advanced stages of implementation.
He further revealed plans to engage community leaders, youth groups, and professional associations to sensitise citizens on the achievements of the current administration, especially in rural development and energy access.
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Political observers say Salihijo’s endorsement carries weight, given his technocratic background and experience in managing national electrification programmes. His outreach efforts are expected to resonate strongly in northern Nigeria, where rural electrification remains a major development priority.
The former REA helmsman also called on political stakeholders across party lines to prioritise national interest over partisan considerations, stressing that Nigeria’s development trajectory requires consistency in economic and infrastructural policies.
“Nation-building is a marathon, not a sprint,” Salihijo said. “The reforms we are seeing today require patience, resilience and continuity. Disrupting the process midway could reverse the modest but steady progress already achieved.”
Supporters at the event described his mobilisation drive as timely, noting that grassroots engagement would be crucial in shaping public perception ahead of the next general election cycle.
As political activities gradually intensify nationwide, Salihijo’s declaration adds to the growing list of influential figures rallying behind President Tinubu, signalling what analysts interpret as early strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
