The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, taking its presidential campaign train to Edo, Adamawa and Niger states, where party leaders called on Nigerians to support the President for another term in office.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led the campaign rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Edo State, urged residents to re-elect Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 election, insisting that the administration had made significant progress in fulfilling its promises.
Shettima said the government was seeking a renewed mandate to consolidate its achievements, complete ongoing projects and sustain its development programmes across the country.
He assured the people of Edo State that the Federal Government would not abandon critical road projects, industrial revival initiatives and other infrastructure investments.
Addressing a large crowd of party supporters, the Vice President said the administration remained committed to addressing the state’s infrastructure deficit, particularly the condition of major highways connecting communities and commercial centres.
He disclosed that work had commenced on the dualisation of the Benin–Ekpoma–Auchi–Okpella–Okene road, while rehabilitation efforts were ongoing on the Benin–Asaba and Benin–Sapele roads.
According to him, the projects are aimed at reducing transportation costs, improving economic activities and preventing traders and transport operators from suffering losses caused by prolonged travel delays.
Shettima said the people had every right to hold the government accountable until the projects were completed.
On industrial development, the Vice President said the Tinubu administration recognised Edo State’s historical importance as an industrial and commercial hub, adding that investments in gas infrastructure, electricity transmission and alternative energy were designed to support economic recovery.
He disclosed that gas was now flowing through the completed Obiafu–Obrikom–Oben pipeline, describing the development as a major step towards strengthening energy supply for industries.
He also highlighted the new transmission infrastructure at Ihovbor, which he said had created the capacity to evacuate an additional 600 megawatts of electricity into the national grid.
Other interventions, according to him, included an electricity injection substation at Amufi and the establishment of solar mini-grids in communities across the state.
Shettima further noted that Edo State had assumed regulatory responsibility for its intrastate electricity market, while a proposed condensate refinery had entered the development stage.
On healthcare, the Vice President said the Federal Government had strengthened interventions in tertiary hospitals and primary healthcare facilities across the state.
He cited the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where cancer patients could access radiotherapy services, alongside subsidised dialysis treatment for eligible patients.
He also mentioned interventions at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital and the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, adding that 158 public healthcare facilities in the state were benefiting from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
On education, Shettima highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the initiative was helping students from Edo State access tertiary education without being prevented by financial constraints.
He added that farmers in the state had benefited from subsidised fertiliser allocations, while agricultural training and entrepreneurship programmes were being implemented to improve productivity.
The Vice President also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces and other security agencies to improve the protection of lives and property.
The Edo rally was hosted by Governor Monday Okpebholo and coincided with activities marking his second anniversary in office.
Prominent APC leaders and political figures in attendance included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Others included Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole and former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo.
Also present were APC leaders, serving and former lawmakers, members of the Federal Executive Council and other party stakeholders.
Okpebholo Declares Edo Victory for Tinubu
Speaking at the rally, Governor Okpebholo declared that Edo State was firmly behind President Tinubu and ready to deliver massive votes for his re-election.
He urged Shettima to convey the state’s commitment to the President, expressing confidence that residents would support the APC in the January 16, 2027 poll.
Okpebholo attributed the state’s support to the Tinubu administration’s policies, including fuel subsidy removal, tax reforms and NELFUND, which he said had contributed to infrastructure development and improved government performance.
Senate President Akpabio also expressed confidence in the President’s electoral prospects, declaring that Tinubu had no formidable political rival in the South-South region.
He attributed the growing support for the APC in the region to federal infrastructure projects, improved security deployments and increased constitutional revenue allocations to state governments.
Akpabio also cited the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, the establishment of a new Nigerian Army division and a Mobile Police squadron as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region.
He urged party supporters to mobilise voters across the South-South, insisting that the region was prepared to deliver substantial votes for Tinubu.
Senator Yari also praised the people of Edo State for their support, saying the President had demonstrated commitment to the state’s development.
He expressed confidence that the state would deliver two million votes for the APC in the forthcoming election.
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who serves as the Presidential Campaign Council’s Director of Mobilisation, also commended Okpebholo’s administration, saying the governor’s performance had strengthened the party’s confidence ahead of the election.
Fintiri, Bindow Mobilise Support in Adamawa
In Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and former Governor Jibrilla Bindow rallied support for President Tinubu’s re-election.
The rally attracted a large turnout of APC supporters and party faithful from the state’s local government areas.
Bindow emphasised the importance of political rotation and zoning, arguing that since former President Muhammadu Buhari, from the North, served two terms of eight years, Tinubu, from the South, should also be allowed to complete two terms.
He urged voters to support the President in the interest of political balance and continuity.
Bago Endorses Tinubu’s Second Term in Niger
Similarly, Governor Mohammed Bago declared support for Tinubu’s re-election during the APC rally at the Trade Fair Complex in Minna, Niger State.
Bago said the President deserved another term because of what he described as his meritorious service to the country.
The rallies across the three states formed part of the APC’s nationwide mobilisation efforts aimed at securing support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Comments