President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to reject opposition presidential hopefuls Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election, saying both politicians have little to offer the country.
The President’s position was conveyed by Vice-President Kashim Shettima during an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State.
Shettima criticised the opposition figures, challenging them to present their records in public office and offer credible alternatives to the policies of the Tinubu administration.
He accused them of relying heavily on social media campaigns rather than providing Nigerians with clear plans for national development.
SHETTIMA TAKES AIM AT OBI AND ATIKU
Taking a swipe at Atiku, the Vice-President questioned his political influence in Adamawa State, claiming that even former governors of the state were not supporting his presidential ambition.
He also criticised Obi’s economic credentials, alleging that the former Anambra State governor relied on questionable data rather than verifiable achievements.
“The ability to import cheap South African wines does not make one a guru in economics,” Shettima said.
He further described Obi’s administration in Anambra as mediocre and challenged opposition politicians to identify major achievements from their years in public office.
SHEttima CLAIMS BROAD POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR TINUBU IN ONDO
The Vice-President said Tinubu enjoyed widespread support among political leaders in Ondo State, contrasting this with what he described as the limited political backing for Obi and Atiku in their respective home states.
Among those he mentioned were former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, former governorship candidate Olusola Oke and House of Representatives member Gboyega Adefarati.
Shettima also claimed that former Anambra governors Chris Ngige, Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Willie Obiano, as well as the incumbent governor, Charles Soludo, were not aligned with Obi.
APC TARGETS 1.2 MILLION VOTES IN ONDO
Speaking on the party’s electoral ambitions, Shettima said the APC was targeting at least 1.2 million votes in Ondo State in the 2027 presidential election.
He noted that the state had approximately 2.1 million registered voters, with about 1.8 million having collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The Vice-President described the large turnout at the rally as evidence of the party’s growing political strength, referring to similar rallies held in Cross River, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ebonyi and Jigawa states.
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa also pledged to deliver one million votes for Tinubu in the next election.
He praised the President’s policies and economic reforms, adding that Ondo voters had supported Tinubu in 2023 because of his leadership record as governor of Lagos State.
Aiyedatiwa also commended the President for appointing three ministers from Ondo State to oversee the finance, interior and youth development portfolios, as well as making other appointments from the state.
He highlighted his administration’s achievements, including the recruitment of more than 6,000 workers, infrastructure development and improvements in healthcare.
APC LEADERS BACK TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION BID
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described Tinubu as the most experienced and prepared candidate among those expected to contest the 2027 presidential election.
He credited the President’s administration with addressing economic challenges, claiming that more than 31 states which previously struggled to pay workers’ salaries could now meet their obligations.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said Tinubu had given Ondo State considerable attention despite its status as a non-oil-producing state.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, urged residents who had yet to collect their PVCs to do so ahead of the election.
Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole also appealed to Nigerian youths to support Tinubu, arguing that the country needed experienced statesmen in leadership positions.
MIMIKO, OKE PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR APC
Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and Chief Olusola Oke pledged to work with other political leaders to secure victory for Tinubu and APC candidates in the state.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele called on party stakeholders to unite behind Governor Aiyedatiwa, who is serving as the state’s campaign coordinator.
He said cooperation among party leaders would be essential to achieving the APC’s target of one million votes.
The rally attracted several federal and state government officials, ministers, lawmakers, APC leaders, traditional rulers and support groups.
