President Bola Tinubu has challenged his political opponents ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying they lack the political experience and leadership credentials required to compete with him.
Tinubu, who declared that his administration had made significant progress since assuming office in 2023, said his second-term ambition was aimed at consolidating the achievements recorded during his first tenure.
The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at an All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally held in Ado Ekiti, urged voters in Ekiti State to give him at least 90 per cent of the votes in the 2027 presidential election to secure another term in office.
Tinubu maintained that his administration had fulfilled several promises made to the people of Ekiti before the 2023 general election, particularly in the areas of federal appointments and infrastructure development.
He also praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for bringing political leaders across party lines together following the June 20 governorship election, describing the development as a demonstration of political unity ahead of the next general election.
Speaking about his opponents, particularly African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu questioned their political influence in their home states.
He cited Adamawa State, where he said former governors and prominent political figures were not supporting Atiku.
“If you can’t control your own state, if you are not relevant in your state, how can you now be relevant elsewhere?” he asked.
The President also highlighted infrastructure and educational projects undertaken by his administration in Ekiti State.
He listed the completion of the Ado-Ikere-Akure road and the award of contracts for the reconstruction of the Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba-Ikole road and Ado-Aramoko-Itawure road.
Tinubu further mentioned the establishment of a federal university at Iyin-Ekiti, alongside the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said had benefited students of Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology.
He described another four years in office as an opportunity to do more for the country and strengthen national development.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also urged Ekiti residents and Nigerians to support Tinubu and other party candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Yilwatda described the President as a performer and reformer, highlighting the administration’s economic reforms, tax policies, education loan scheme and infrastructure projects.
He said the tax reforms were designed to protect low-income earners and small businesses from excessive tax burdens while encouraging economic growth.
The APC chairman also described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as an important intervention aimed at expanding access to higher education and ensuring that financial difficulties did not prevent qualified students from pursuing their academic goals.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, called on Ekiti voters to deliver at least 800,000 votes for Tinubu in 2027.
Yari, who described the President as an experienced leader and democrat, said another term would allow him to continue implementing his development and restructuring programmes.
He also claimed that the administration had reduced food inflation, leading to lower prices of essential food items, including rice, sorghum, millet and maize.
Yari urged voters across the South-West states to support Tinubu, adding that the President deserved another opportunity because of his contributions to democracy and national development.
He recalled that Ekiti delivered about 80 per cent of its votes to Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election, urging the state to surpass that performance in 2027.
According to him, more than 900,000 of Ekiti’s 1.08 million registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards, making the state a key target for the APC’s electoral mobilisation.
Governor Oyebanji also assured the President of overwhelming support from Ekiti, claiming that the APC had united former governors and prominent opposition figures behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He said the state would increase its support for the President in appreciation of the Federal Government’s projects and interventions.
Oyebanji specifically cited the Ado-Ikere-Akure road and other ongoing road projects, as well as initiatives targeting women and young people.
Other dignitaries at the rally included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and former Ekiti governors Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose and Niyi Adebayo.
The event also attracted Ekiti Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye, lawmakers, ministers, commissioners, party leaders and other APC supporters.
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