The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign train rolled into Edo, Adamawa and Niger states yesterday to drum up support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who addressed party supporters at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State capital, urged Nigerians to re-elect the president in the January 16 election, saying he has delivered on his promises. NigerianNewspaper Access
The vice president said the people should hold the administration accountable, assuring that the Federal Government would not abandon any road project, industrial revival and other developmental programmes in the state.
In Yola, capital of Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and former Governor Bindo Jubrilla drummed support for the president’s re-election at a rally attended by a large crowd from all the local governments in the state.
Bindow emphasised the importance of rotation and zoning. He said that since former President Muhammadu Buhari from the North spent eight years in office, President Tinubu from the South deserves two terms. AccessServices
At the Trade Fair Complex in Minna, capital of Niger State, Governor Mohammed Bago said the people would vote for President Tinubu because he has served the country meritoriously. AccessServices
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Shettima said the administration was seeking a renewed mandate in 2027 to consolidate its achievements and complete outstanding projects, particularly critical road infrastructure and investments aimed at restoring Edo’s industrial capacity.
He assured residents that the government remained committed to making major highways motorable, acknowledging the economic losses suffered by traders, transporters and other road users because of deteriorating infrastructure.
The Vice President said the administration had commenced the dualisation of the Benin–Ekpoma–Auchi–Okpella–Okene road, while not relenting on the rehabilitation works on the Benin–Asaba and Benin–Sapele roads.
Shettima said residents have every justification to demand results from the government until the projects are delivered.
He said: “When we came to you nearly four years ago, we assured you that we could not bridge our nation’s infrastructure deficit without carrying Edo along. We have not abandoned that pledge.
“We are determined to build roads on which traders will no longer lose money to delays. This is why we have begun work to dualise the roads through Ekpoma, Auchi and Okpella.
“This is why emergency repairs are also underway on the roads from Benin to Asaba and Sapele. You have every right to hold us to our word until you can travel these roads in comfort.”
The vice president maintained that the Tinubu administration recognised Edo’s historical importance as an industrial and commercial centre, stressing that ongoing investments in gas infrastructure, electricity transmission and alternative energy were designed to create the conditions for industrial recovery.
He said the Federal Government has responded to demands for the revival of industries by strengthening energy infrastructure, which is indispensable to sustainable manufacturing and economic expansion.
He added: “We have heard your calls for the revival of industries in your state. We also know that industry cannot thrive without reliable energy. ‘’Today, we are proud to say that gas now flows through the completed Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben pipeline.”
The Vice President disclosed that new transmission infrastructure at Ihovbor had created capacity to evacuate an additional 600 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, describing the development as another important intervention in efforts to address power supply challenges.
He also highlighted the commissioning of an electricity injection substation at Amufi and the establishment of solar mini-grids in communities across the state.
Shettima noted that Edo had assumed regulatory responsibility for its intrastate electricity market, while a proposed condensate refinery had entered the development stage.
He assured residents that the administration would continue to support investments capable of expanding electricity access, improving industrial productivity and creating employment opportunities.
The Vice President said the Federal Government had strengthened its interventions in tertiary hospitals and primary healthcare facilities across Edo.
He cited the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where cancer patients could now access radiotherapy services, alongside subsidised dialysis treatment for eligible patients.
He said similar attention had been directed at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, while 158 public healthcare facilities in Edo were benefiting from support through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Shettima said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had provided an important opportunity for students from Edo State to pursue tertiary education without being prevented by financial difficulties.
He added: “Through our NELFUND initiative, we are helping our children remain in school without being defeated by the cost of education.
“We are also investing in your educational institutions and the people who sustain them.”
The Vice President added that farmers in the state had benefited from subsidised fertiliser allocations, while agricultural training and entrepreneurship programmes were being implemented to improve productivity and livelihoods.
Shettima reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving the remuneration and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces and other security agencies. He added that the government recognises the importance of protecting lives and property as a foundation for economic development.
The crowd at the Samuel Ogbemudia venue was huge. Security was tight at the stadium and across the state capital.
At the rally hosted by Governor Monday Ekpobolo, who was also marking his second anniversary in office, were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; APC National Chairman Prof.Nentawe Yilwatda; Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari; former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole as well as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo; Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe; former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku; serving and former lawmakers, members of the Federal Executive Council and other party leaders were also in attendance.
*Okpebholo: APC will win Edo
Okpebholo said Edo is “settled” for President Tinubu, while Akpabio boasted that the president has no serious rival.
Akpabio said: “I must say that Edo has not surprised me because of the turnout today. I must also say that the Vice President whispered to me when we came in here that Edo is over. The election in Edo is over.
“Edo State happens to have been the pioneer ACN-APC state in the Southsouth . From Edo today, all the states of the Southsouth are now APC.
‘’I want you to know that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no competition, no competitor equal in the whole of the Southsouth.”
Akpabio added that the Southsouth had resolved to outvote every other geo-political zone, buoyed by federal infrastructure projects, including the extended Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, enhanced security deployments, a new Nigerian Army division and Mobile Police squadron, and constitutional revenue allocations that have kept states solvent.
Okpebholo said Edo people have already made up their minds to reward President Tinubu for his policies—including fuel subsidy removal, tax reforms, and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)—that have spurred massive construction and prompt payment of salaries and pensions across the state.
He said: “Mr. Vice President, the message is clear. I need you to take this message back to Mr President, that in Edo State, we are ready. 16th January 2027—is it not settled? Is it not settled? Mr President has made Edo shine. So shall we make him shine on 16th of January 2027.”
Yari said: “Edo people, the President of Nigeria is your President, not because he comes from the southern part of the country, but because he has Edo in his heart.
“Mr President, Edo people have given their commitment. By God’s grace, your governor has spoken. I take him into confidence that his words are his bond. We are waiting for two million votes.”
Oshiomhole, who is the PCC director of Mobilisation, said: As they say, every politics is local. If the governor here was not performing, I would be afraid to come here.”
He praised Okpebholo’s investments in roads, schools, market rehabilitation, and primary healthcare, urging voters to back APC senatorial candidates alongside the President to sustain the momentum of statesmanship and power sector reforms.
Uzodimma said unlike opposition parties relying on social media, the APC is on the ground engaging voters directly.
While affirming that the unprecedented youth turnout signalled victory, he urged supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to actualise Okpebholo’s 2.5-million-vote target.
Edo is ready for 2027, says Oba Ewuare
The Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, declared that “everything is all said and done,” ahead of the poll.
The monarch spoke when he received Shettima.
He expressed delight over the visit and acknowledged the role of Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, in the return of stolen artefacts.
Oba Ewuare said: “We will be praying for nation. Everything is all said and done.”
The Vice President said he was at the Palace to seek prayer, counsel, and goodwill of the oba. ahead of the elections.
He said: “I have always found your Majesty’s personal journeys particularly instructive. Before ascension to the throne, you represented Nigeria as a diplomat in many countries,” Shettima said.
“As we approach another democratic season, we seek your Majesty’s prayer, counsel and goodwill. We value the role of the Benin throne, a promoter of peace, reconciliation and mutual respect.
“Your Majesty understands what ultimately matters is the welfare of the people and stability of the nation. We welcome your guidance and remain deeply ready to listen to the concern of your Kingdom.
“The Federal Government values the role of the Benin throne, as a promoter of peace, reconciliation and mutual respect.”
The Vice President also noted the accomplishments the Benin Kingdom has recorded from pre-colonial to contemporary times.
He said the return of the artefacts, through the Oba’s efforts, was a matter of justice and national pride.
The Oba at the kick-off of the campaigns hosted the APC PCC team led Senator Yari during their visit to the traditional rulers.
The at the times was categorical about his support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
Fintiri defends Tinubu’s reform
Fintiri defended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying that the difficulties would not last forever.
He said the president’s reforms had created opportunities for state governments to access more resources and execute developmental projects and tackle security challenges, particularly in the North-east region of the country.
Fintiri, who spoke at Mahmud Ribadu Square, said President Tinubu had taken difficult decisions for the long-term benefit of the country.
He disclosed that Adamawa State had benefited from the opportunities created by President Tinubu’s reforms, adding that the president deserved re-election for the development projects being implemented by his administration.
Adamawa is the home-state of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Fintiri said: “President Tinubu has taken the bullet. He has introduced a policy that is making this country to work. He has introduced reforms. Yes, we agree they are hardship, but then the hardship will not last forever because they are very good policies that are working.
“If you have agreed that we have really worked in Adamawa, Bola Ahmed Tinubu should have a share in the work that the state government has done in Adamawa State because he has taken the bullet for all of us”.
He added that the Tinubu-led Federal Government, security agencies and state governments were working together to restore peace and create an enabling environment for development to thrive.
Fintiri added: “I was wondering if Bola Ahmed Tinubu had not become the President of this country in 2023, whether Nigeria would have existed by now. I was wondering if Bola Ahmed Tinubu had not become President, whether the insecurity we are talking about would have taken over”.
He assured Adamawa state residents that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare, reduce insecurity and deploy available resources to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
The Adamawa APC Chairman, Hamza Bello Madagali, warned party executives and political appointees against failing to deliver their respective wards for the party’s candidates in the 2027 general elections.
He said any party official or appointee who fail to secure victory for the APC in their ward would be expelled from the party, stressing that all members must demonstrate commitment to the party’s electoral success.
Tinubu deserves eight years like Buhari, says Bindow
Bindow said President Tinubu from the South deserves two terms like former President Buhari from the North.
He urged voters to re-elect him to enable him consolidate his administration’s policies and reforms.
Bindow said since Buhari served two terms of eight years, President Tinubu should be given the opportunity in the spirit of equity, unity and inclusion, in spite of regional differences.
He explained that failure to re-elect President Tinubu would be a betrayal of the trust, love and support he has for northerners and the region at large.
The APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Tijjani Galadima urged the people to rally behind the president to enable him consolidate on the gains of his administration.
He commended Fintiri for his administration’s initiatives, while pledging to strengthen the existing foundation and pursue further development across the state.
Galadima assured that, if elected, he would respect the trust reposed in him by citizens and work towards sustaining the development legacy of the outgoing administration.
Niger APC confident of victory, says Bago
Bago said Niger APC is confident of victory, adding that the President should “go and sleep” because “Niger is yours.”
The governor described the large turnout as a test of the microphone, saying the party had not even started its campaign activities.
He said: “Therefore, Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, go and rest, go and sleep. Niger is yours. APC, Niger is ours.”
The crowd responded with chants expressing support for the APC and its candidates: i“Nigeria, Sai Tinubu”, “Niger, Sai Bago” and “Zone B, Sai Sani”.
Bago, who is also the APC North Central Zonal Coordinator, expressed confidence in the party’s chances, thanking members for their support, resilience and confidence in the APC.
The Director-General of the APC Campaign Council and former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, described Bago’s administration as deserving of another term, citing its achievements in road construction, employment, healthcare and rural-urban renewal.
Ibeto said there was no need to change a winning team, urging party members to support the governor’s re-election bid to enable him to consolidate on the administration’s projects.
The APC North Central Vice Chairman, Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects.
The state APC Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Musa Bobi, also expressed confidence that President and Bago would emerge victorious in the 2027 elections, calling on party supporters to work towards securing the party’s success.
The Chairman of the APC Central Working Committee and former senator, David Umaru, commended Bago’s performance and urged aggrieved party members to put aside their differences and work together for the party’s victory.
