APC Manifesto Targets 6% Growth as Bagudu, Leaders Defend Tinubu’s Reforms

The All Progressives Congress has unveiled its 2027-2031 manifesto, targeting six per cent annual economic growth, 10,000 megawatts of electricity generation, 200,000 affordable homes and 20,000 additional teachers.

Titled From Reforms to Prosperity Agenda, the manifesto was presented in Abuja on Tuesday, with party leaders defending President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms as necessary to achieve sustainable growth and improve living conditions.

Presidential Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila defended the difficult policy decisions, saying, “A leader thinks about the next generation.”

House of Representatives member Abdulmumin Jibrin highlighted investments in road and rail infrastructure, particularly in northern Nigeria, and increased revenue allocations to states.

The manifesto also proposes recruiting 28,000 military personnel and 50,000 police officers, while cutting the number of out-of-school children by half.

At the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the Federal Government would sustain its economic reforms and improve their implementation.

He ruled out a return to fuel subsidy payments, arguing that abandoning the reforms would reverse progress towards economic stability. However, he acknowledged the hardship facing households and businesses.

Bagudu said the government was targeting a $1 trillion economy by 2030, driven by investments in agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital technology and human capital.

Meanwhile, Biodun Ajiboye, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said Tinubu’s reforms had helped Nigeria avoid a deeper economic crisis.

“If we had not done the reforms we have done, we would not have been able to stabilise the economy,” Ajiboye said.

Although he acknowledged the hardship caused by the policies, he expressed optimism that Nigerians would begin to enjoy greater benefits from May 2027.

The National Patriots, led by Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, also commended Tinubu’s reforms but called for stronger social protection, more jobs and affordable essential goods.

The group said the success of the policies would ultimately depend on measurable improvements in household welfare, business confidence and economic opportunities.