President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi over their political records and leadership credentials, declaring that neither possesses the qualities required to govern Nigeria.
Tinubu made the remarks on Friday while addressing supporters at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The President questioned Obi’s performance as governor of Anambra State, particularly his handling of erosion challenges, arguing that effective leadership requires the courage to confront difficult situations.
Drawing comparisons with his tenure as governor of Lagos State, Tinubu said he had confronted the threat posed by the Atlantic Ocean rather than abandon the challenge.
“He ran away from erosion in Anambra State. He could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean,” he declared.
Tinubu also questioned Obi’s political consistency, referencing his movement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP) and subsequently to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where he is seeking the presidency in 2027.
He argued that frequent changes in political affiliation raised questions about the former governor’s loyalty, political organisation and ability to manage the complexities of national leadership.
The President also criticised Atiku, accusing him of abandoning the PDP when his leadership position came under challenge.
He questioned whether the former Vice President could provide the political stability and cohesion required to lead the country.
Tinubu, however, praised Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for what he described as his commitment to development and the welfare of residents.
He urged the people of the state to continue supporting the governor, commending his efforts in addressing environmental challenges and executing infrastructure projects.
The President also expressed confidence in securing another presidential mandate in 2027, promising to consolidate his administration’s economic and infrastructural policies.
He urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing them as instruments for determining the country’s future.
Tinubu promised improved access to education, skills acquisition, employment opportunities and economic development, identifying agriculture, particularly oil palm production and processing, as an area with significant potential in Akwa Ibom.
Tinubu approves international airport, Ibom Deep Seaport
During the rally, Tinubu approved Governor Eno’s request to upgrade Victor Attah International Airport to full international airport status.
He also gave his approval for the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, describing the project as a major economic opportunity capable of attracting investment, expanding commercial activities and creating employment.
Responding to the airport request, the President said, “I didn’t look round. I approved it.”
He subsequently sought the crowd’s opinion on the proposed seaport before declaring, “It is approved.”
Tinubu also recalled his professional connection with Akwa Ibom, describing his visit as a homecoming.
He said his relationship with the state dated back to his early career as an accountant, when he worked with Mobil after returning from the United States, undertaking assignments that involved auditing the company’s operations in Eket.
The President pledged that his administration would continue investing in infrastructure, education and productive economic activities to address poverty, ignorance and economic stagnation.
Shettima challenges Atiku over political legacy
Vice President Kashim Shettima also criticised Atiku and Obi during the rally, questioning their leadership records and political accomplishments.
Addressing Atiku, Shettima argued that the presidency should not be regarded as a retirement benefit for politicians who have spent decades seeking political power.
He maintained that presidential leadership must be earned through competence, ideas, organisation, public confidence and measurable achievements.
“The presidency is not a retirement benefit for long years in politics. It is a responsibility that must be earned through ideas, competence, organisation, public confidence and demonstrable results,” Shettima said.
He challenged Atiku to identify governors, deputy governors and other prominent political figures he had nurtured in Adamawa State who remained committed to his political philosophy and current presidential ambition.
Shettima referenced former Adamawa governors Boni Haruna, Murtala Nyako, Bala Ngilari and Bindow Jibrilla, as well as incumbent Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, arguing that none was currently aligned with Atiku’s political project.
The Vice President also accused Obi of making misleading statements and using exaggerated statistics, claiming that the former Anambra governor had lost much of the goodwill he previously enjoyed among Nigerians.
APC leaders express confidence in Tinubu’s re-election
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027 without electoral manipulation.
Yilwatda attributed the party’s confidence to its growing membership, political structure and what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration in infrastructure, education, workers’ welfare and economic reforms.
“We don’t need to rig. We don’t need to add one vote to Mr President. He can win. He can win squarely,” he declared.
Yari similarly maintained that the APC would rely on the support of Nigerians who had benefited from the administration’s policies and development programmes.
Bayelsa State Governor and Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Douye Diri, also declared the support of the region’s six governors for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He praised the President’s Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing it as a major infrastructure intervention for the South-South region.
The governors include Diri of Bayelsa, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Bassey Otu of Cross River.
Soludo adopts Tinubu as APGA’s presidential candidate
Meanwhile, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has announced that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Soludo made the declaration during the party’s election campaign flag-off at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
He said APGA would not present a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election and would instead adopt Tinubu as its preferred candidate.
According to him, the President has demonstrated commitment to the development of the South-East, particularly Anambra State, and deserves the support of the region.
Soludo urged APGA members to work towards securing at least 50 per cent of the presidential votes in Anambra State for Tinubu.
Wike projects 70,000 turnout for Tinubu’s Rivers rally
Ahead of Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Rivers State, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has projected that more than 70,000 residents will turn out to welcome the President at the APC rally in Port Harcourt.
Wike disclosed this during an inspection of preparations at the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Iguruta, where the rally is scheduled to take place.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of preparations, including decorations and security arrangements, describing the President’s visit as significant because it would be his first official visit to Rivers State since assuming office.
The minister said the expected turnout would exceed the seating capacity of the stadium, adding that residents were enthusiastic about receiving the President.
More than 80 campaign buses representing the APC and PDP across the state’s 23 local government areas also participated in a roadshow organised by the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support ahead of the rally.
The Uyo rally forms part of the APC’s political mobilisation efforts ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
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