The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, PhD, has called for a deepened collaborative relationship between the government and the party to enhance governance and effective policy communication across Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the APC National Working Committee, Senator Basiru expressed appreciation to the National Publicity Secretary and the media team of the President for their coordination of the recently held “Communicating Renewed Hope: A Capacity Building Seminar for APC Zonal and State Publicity Secretaries in Nigeria.” He described the seminar as a testament to the critical synergy required between the government and the party in projecting achievements and strengthening public trust.
Senator Basiru urged all public officials to emulate the proactive engagement model demonstrated by the Publicity arm of the administration, which he said has significantly contributed to a stronger party-government alignment.
The National Secretary emphasized the need for unified messaging through the office of the National Publicity Secretary and its counterparts at the zonal and state levels. He noted that effective communication of the party’s accomplishments is not just strategic but essential. “If one does not promote their achievements, they are likely to be overlooked,” he said.
Addressing the media and participants at the seminar, Senator Basiru reflected on the widespread misinformation campaigns that characterized the pre-2023 election period, describing them as deliberate efforts to distort reality using images from war-torn regions. He warned against the continued weaponization of deceit, ethnic divisions, and religious sentiments in Nigerian politics.
“Some individuals who governed sub-national entities with no significant accomplishments have been quick to criticize others while failing to address issues such as flooding and the lack of educational infrastructure during their time in office,” he stated.
He stressed that the seminar must equip APC’s communication leaders with the tools to counter misinformation and clearly articulate the administration’s policies, achievements, and development goals.
Highlighting the role of unity and inclusive messaging, Senator Basiru condemned the politicization of ethnicity and religion ahead of the last general elections. He called for a more disciplined and factual approach to public communication going forward.
To bolster public awareness and citizen engagement, Dr. Basiru proposed the introduction of weekly radio programs across all states, suggesting a segment titled “Renewed Hope Half Hour” as a platform to disseminate government initiatives at both the federal and sub-national levels.
He reiterated the importance of recognizing Nigeria’s federal structure, noting that achievements by APC-led state and local governments are equally critical in measuring the administration’s overall success.
“As the largest political party in Nigeria, we currently have 23 governors—among whom are viable future leaders,” he noted. “It is essential to showcase the contributions of all our governors, not just the most prominent, to strengthen our party’s image and national outlook.”
Senator Basiru concluded by reaffirming the APC’s commitment to transparent governance, inclusive communication, and a united front in tackling Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
