The Association of Nigerian Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his emergence as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by its Head of New Media, Mr Abdulkadir Salihu (IBN), the association pledged the support of its members nationwide towards the President’s re-election bid.

Salihu said ASNAT recognised the economic and social reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, describing them as efforts aimed at laying the foundation for Nigeria’s structural transformation.

“While we acknowledge that the nation has not yet reached the Promised Land, we remain steadfast in our belief that through his Renewed Hope Agenda, God will grant him the wisdom and strength to achieve greater national development,” he said.

He noted that although artisans and technicians had faced challenges arising from the perceived underperformance of some government agencies responsible for their welfare, they had also benefited from several initiatives of the administration.

According to him, recent tax reforms exempting small businesses with annual gross turnover of N100 million or less and fixed assets not exceeding N250 million from Companies Income Tax and other taxes have provided relief for artisans and technicians.

He added that student loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had supported many artisan families, while ongoing projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway would create opportunities for the sector upon completion.

“With all these in mind, the collective body of Nigerian artisans and technicians remains committed to President Tinubu’s vision and pledges our full support for his re-election, mirroring the solidarity we demonstrated in 2023.

“Our network across the 176,846 polling units nationwide remains committed to the Renewed Hope vision,” Salihu said.

The association, however, urged the President to be cautious in appointing aides and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in a possible second term.

“We strongly advise him to exercise extreme caution and diligence in selecting the team of aides and officials, particularly Heads of MDAs and Directors-General of parastatals, to ensure that the significant failures of this first term are not repeated.

“Nigeria is going through a crucial transformative phase and the President will need loyal, competent and patriotic hands to consolidate the gains made and deliver the true dividends of democracy to the grassroots,” he said.

ASNAT wished the President success in his future endeavours and reiterated its commitment to supporting policies aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerian artisans and technicians.

The group advised the President to be cautious in his future appointment of aide