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President Bola Tinubu has appealed to voters in Rivers State to support his re-election bid in 2027, promising that another four years in office would deliver greater economic prosperity to Nigerians.
Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, where he thanked Rivers residents for supporting his victory in the 2023 presidential election.
The President said he had returned to the state to appreciate their support and seek another mandate to continue his administration’s policies and programmes.
“Today again, I return here to say thank you. And seek your support for the second term. I’m seeking that support because you believe in me. You believe that I care for you,” he said.
Appealing particularly to young Nigerians, Tinubu said their education, welfare and skills development remained important to his administration, insisting that the country had begun to experience a new phase of prosperity.
“Your education, your welfare, your skill is extremely important to me, to Nigeria. I assure you, we have started the golden age. The prosperity is here,” he said.
Tinubu also defended his administration’s economic record, claiming that 27 of the 36 states could not pay workers’ salaries when he assumed office in May 2023. He said the situation had since improved, with the government working towards greater economic prosperity.
The President said the salary crisis had affected workers’ families and dependants, while also claiming that his administration was addressing outstanding pension and gratuity liabilities inherited from previous governments.
“The people that govern before, they left unpaid pensions and gratuity in billions and trillions of naira. That is big clear so that every family is included. We are sharing prosperity already,” he said.
Tinubu also criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, questioning how he funded the establishment of a university while serving in public office and overseeing the nation’s economy.
“Asking how he builds a university while in office as vice-president, in charge of our economy. Who built the university for him? Is your it money? Is it your effort? A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics for the office,” the President said.
He further praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as a development partner of his administration and commending his commitment to infrastructure development.
“Wike is already a development partner of Bola Tinubu administration. He’s doing a wonderful job, committed, very, very hard working, a man with vision who combine that with the mission,” he said.
The President also commended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for maintaining peace following efforts to resolve the political crisis in the state. He described the governor as a committed democrat who respected the intervention of political leaders.
“When we intervened, you respected our position; you maintained peace. You are a committed democrat. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done, as long as all of us are alive,” Tinubu said.
Urging young Nigerians to participate in the 2027 general election, the President described the poll as a defining moment for their future and encouraged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“This election is about you. It’s not about me. Your future depends on this election. It is left for you to use the weapon you have. And that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead, collect it,” he said.
