President Charges Party Leaders to Deliver Votes as Shettima, Uzodimma, Yilwatda, Wike Rally Support for Second Term
By Chioma Vivian James
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2027 general election, calling on party leaders and members to unite behind his re-election bid while assuring Nigerians of his administration’s commitment to sustaining its reform agenda.
The inauguration, held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, brought together APC leaders, state governors, political stakeholders and prominent figures from other political parties who pledged their support for the President’s second-term ambition.
Addressing members of the council, Tinubu expressed gratitude for their contributions to his electoral victory in 2023 but emphasised that the task of securing a second term required greater commitment, effective mobilisation and measurable results at the grassroots.
“As I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and spirit full of resolve, it is my honour to inaugurate the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 General Election,” the President said.
He reminded party leaders that their previous electoral achievements would only be complete when they successfully delivered their respective wards and secured the necessary votes in the next election.
The President urged the campaign council to demonstrate unity, discipline and dedication while ensuring that political activities did not undermine the administration’s governance responsibilities.
Tinubu acknowledged the advice of the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who cautioned against allowing the demands of the campaign to distract the President from governing the country.
He said the advice was timely, stressing that while the campaign council would intensify mobilisation across the states and local government areas, his administration would remain focused on addressing national priorities and attracting investment.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait. We want those investors to come in and invest for the future of our children,” he said.
Tinubu charged campaign council members to engage Nigerians constructively and communicate the policies, programmes and achievements of his administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for their contributions during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, particularly in addressing challenges posed by the Atlantic Ocean.
“There is a limit, but there is no limit in daring. We dared the Atlantic Ocean, and the result is the Atlantic City in Lagos,” he said.
Shettima Defends Tinubu’s Leadership
Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s courage, political conviction and contributions to democratic development, citing his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during the 2007 presidential election.
Shettima recalled that Tinubu had supported Atiku’s presidential ambition under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), describing the gesture as evidence of his political tolerance.
The Vice President criticised Atiku for what he described as an attempt to diminish the office of the President.
“You can call him Bola, if you like, call him Adekunle, but he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.
He also criticised the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, over what he described as misleading statistics and comparisons between Nigeria and other countries without sufficient context.
Yilwatda Promises Nationwide Mobilisation
In his remarks, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described the inauguration as a demonstration of the party’s collective determination to secure Tinubu’s re-election and advance its vision for national development.
He pointed to the presence of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as evidence of the support the President enjoys beyond the APC.
Yilwatda charged council members to communicate the administration’s policies and achievements clearly, while demonstrating how its reforms could translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
He assured Tinubu that the campaign council would mobilise voters across the country, moving from ward to ward, local government to local government and state to state to secure victory in 2027.
The APC chairman also called for a campaign centred on ideas, performance and policies, urging political actors to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the electorate.
He maintained that the party’s success would depend on effective national leadership, strong state-level organisation, committed local government structures and sustained grassroots engagement.
Uzodimma Defends Economic Reforms
Governor Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum and serves as secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council, assured the President that APC governors and other party leaders would work collectively to communicate the administration’s policies to Nigerians.
He said the campaign would be issue-based, highlighting the President’s willingness to confront economic challenges that previous administrations had struggled to address.
Uzodimma cited the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates as major policy decisions, arguing that they demonstrated the administration’s willingness to undertake difficult reforms.
He acknowledged that the measures had imposed hardships and inconveniences on Nigerians but maintained that the reforms were necessary to address structural weaknesses in the economy.
The governor also commended the administration’s tax reforms and other economic measures, noting that Nigeria’s economic growth had improved to 4.43 per cent from 4.23 per cent a year earlier.
According to him, the campaign council would seek to explain the rationale behind the reforms, acknowledge the challenges confronting citizens and present the administration’s vision for the country’s future.
Adeleke, Soludo, Wike Pledge Support
In their goodwill messages, Governor Adeleke, Governor Soludo and FCT Minister Wike expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying his administration should be given the opportunity to consolidate its policies and programmes.
Adeleke drew cheers from the audience with his trademark dance steps, adding a lively moment to the ceremony.
Wike, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party figure, said his support for Tinubu was informed by what he described as the President’s bold leadership and willingness to confront longstanding national challenges.
He argued that successive administrations had recognised many of the country’s problems without taking decisive action to address them.
According to Wike, Tinubu’s readiness to implement difficult policies from the beginning of his administration distinguished his leadership.
The FCT minister also challenged governors and other political leaders to work towards delivering their states for the President in the 2027 election.
Political Leaders Call for Second Term
Other prominent figures who delivered goodwill messages included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs Ibrahim Kabiru Masari and elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.
They called on Nigerians to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that continuity would enable the administration to consolidate the gains of its reform agenda.
The inauguration formally sets the APC’s presidential campaign machinery in motion ahead of the 2027 general election, with the party expected to intensify political mobilisation and public engagement in the months ahead.
As the political contest gathers momentum, the campaign council faces the task of translating its promises of unity and nationwide mobilisation into electoral support while convincing Nigerians that the administration’s policies will deliver meaningful improvements in their lives.
