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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Vice president Kashim Shettima and Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, have challenged the Ekiti State electorate to deliver at least 800,000 votes for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, as candidates of opposition political parties in the state’s last governorship election joined the ruling party’s campaign for the President’s re-election.
The appeal came at the Ekiti State presidential campaign rally held in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, where Shettima, who represented Tinubu, led prominent APC leaders, including the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Biodun Oyebanji, to mobilise support for the President.
In what the APC leaders described as a demonstration of growing political unity in Ekiti, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20, 2026 election, Wole Oluyede, his Social Democratic Party (SDP) counterpart, Alade Adedayo, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Joseph Anifowose, attended the rally and declared support for Tinubu.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for the Vice-President and other party leaders to defend the administration’s economic policies, highlight federal projects in Ekiti and challenge opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to present alternative programmes ahead of the presidential election.
Addressing the crowd, Shettima thanked Ekiti residents for their support for the APC and for re-electing Governor Oyebanji with 85.7 per cent of the votes in the June governorship election, saying the state had remained steadfast in its support for the Tinubu administration despite the difficulties associated with its economic reforms.
“Four years ago, we came before you to seek your votes, your trust, and your mandate to turn the fortunes of our great nation around. We have returned today to thank you for standing with us when we undertook the difficult task of rescuing our economy from the brink. We know the sacrifices you have made, and we are beginning to reap the benefits of those difficult decisions,” he said.
He recalled that Ekiti was the first state to declare its presidential election results in 2023, delivering 201,495 votes to the APC, which also won in all 16 local government areas, the three senatorial districts and the six House of Representatives constituencies in the state.
Shettima said the presence of opposition governorship candidates at the rally reflected the political cooperation developing around Tinubu’s re-election campaign, expressing confidence that the state would improve on its previous electoral performance.
“A total registered vote of 1,028,000 votes. It is our privilege, hope, and prayer that on 16 January 2027, APC will garner 90 percent to 95 percent of the votes cast,” he said.
Turning to the opposition, particularly the ADC, Shettima dismissed the significance of social media mobilisation, insisting that electoral victories depended on grassroots organisation and the ability of political parties to secure votes at polling units.
“The opposition can rant and run, but there are no polling booths on Instagram or on Facebook. The ADC candidate in the last election in Ekiti State got 12,000 votes. There is no presence of ADC in Ekiti State,” he declared.
The Vice-President also questioned the political strength of former Vice-President and ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar in his home state of Adamawa, claiming that none of the five governors the state had produced since 1999 was supporting him.
“If you cannot control your own state, if you are not relevant in your home base, how can you tell others to elect you? Politics is about grassroots control. Politics is a game of nerves, not of emotion,” Shettima said.
He challenged opposition politicians to explain their contributions to development in states such as Ekiti, Osun, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers, maintaining that the APC would campaign on what it considered the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Highlighting federal interventions in Ekiti, the Vice-President listed work on the Ado-Akure road, reconstruction of the Itawure-Aramoko-Iyin road and other road projects, as well as the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences.
He also cited student loans provided through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to students of Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University, a new Information and Communication Technology Experience Centre at Ekiti State University and approval for a Mining and Geosciences Institute in the state.
“Because Ekiti is a land of professors, we must talk about education. Our obligation is to make sure that poverty does not shut the classroom doors.”
Shettima acknowledged that while some projects had been completed, others were under construction or awaiting execution, assuring the people that the administration would pursue outstanding commitments if re-elected.
“We seek your mandate to complete the works we have begun. We will build on the commitments we have made and carry the mission to its conclusion,” he stated.
In his address, Yari demanded at least 800,000 votes from Ekiti for Tinubu, arguing that the target was achievable given the number of registered voters and collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the state, as well as the support being demonstrated by politicians across party lines.
The former Zamfara State governor reminded the gathering that Tinubu had supported Ekiti politically and, according to him, fulfilled important commitments to the state through investments in education, infrastructure, youth development and women’s empowerment.
“We have given the rundown of the government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the achievement record so far, and the request made in 2022. And Asiwaju did not forget about Ekiti, and he has done his best by introducing schools, universities, roads, education support to youths, women empowerment, etc.”
Yari recalled the support Ekiti voters gave Tinubu and Oyebanji during previous elections, maintaining that the state should now demonstrate even greater commitment to the President’s re-election.
“Ekiti gave 80 per cent. Today, out of 1,080,000 votes, and PVC collected over 900,000, I want to make a request, and by extension, of course, of the President to you.
“We are looking for 800,000 votes, representing about 90 per cent. This is why I said this 90 per cent. People that contested with our Governor, the candidate from PDP, APM, and SDP, are all here together to show solidarity, their togetherness with the governor when it comes to Bola Tinubu in 2027.”
He appealed directly to Oyebanji and other political leaders in the state to intensify grassroots mobilisation and ensure that the target was achieved.
“Governor, our message to you, to Ekiti leaders is to tell Ekiti people that having done so well, we are looking for over 800,000 votes in Ekiti for Mr. President.”
Yari said the President had promised to do more for Ekiti if returned to office, arguing that the state’s support should be strengthened by the political cooperation between the ruling party and candidates of other parties.
He also assured the gathering that northern Nigeria would support Tinubu’s re-election, recalling the President’s previous political relationships with leaders from the region.
“We in Northern Nigeria, Bola is more of us than you in Ekiti, than you in Ondo, than you in Oyo, than you in Osun, than you in Lagos. And a good reason. Bola Tinubu supported our children, supported our people to become number one citizens in this country up to three times.
“Therefore, we in the North, we are ready for Asiwaju 2027 and we are going to deliver him from A to Z. Ekiti people, where we are today, the message is, the labour of this great man, Democrat, cannot go in vain,” he said.
The campaign director-general challenged opposition parties to explain what they would do differently from the Tinubu administration, citing what he described as improvements in inflation, food prices, the exchange rate and other economic indicators.
He claimed that prices of some staple food items had declined significantly, comparing current market prices with those recorded during periods of higher inflation.
“What are they going to do different? We had the bad experience of a bag of 50 kg at 110, today at 60,000. What are they going to do different? In where I came from, a 100 kg of millet, a 100 kg of sorghum, a 100 kg of maize, about 110.
“Today, is even 40,000, 37,000. What opposition are they going to do different than what this great man is doing? As we promised Nigerians, we are going to campaign with our numbers, with what we have done for Nigerians. Based on that, Nigerians, we requested them to give us a second chance,” he said.
Yari maintained that the administration’s economic record could be subjected to public scrutiny and challenged the opposition to respond with alternative policy proposals rather than criticisms alone.
“By God’s grace, Nigerians are convinced. We are not AI product people. We are saying the truth and we are asking to go and take that truth.
“All the numbers are there, ranging from inflation, ranging from exchange rate, ranging from balance of trade. All of them are there for anyone to go and take. So, the progress we made so far, what the opposition are they going to do different? That is the question we are sending to them.
“If they have answers, we are waiting for their answers. Ekiti people, we thank you so much for this reception you gave to us. The President is watching what is happening in this event,” he stated.
Governor Oyebanji urged the people to support Tinubu’s re-election, describing the President’s assistance to his administration as unprecedented since the creation of Ekiti State.
“You voted for me, you voted for the President. Your result was the first to be declared throughout the federation. And you did very well. And on the basis of that, the support of Mr. President for our administration has been unprecedented in a 30-year history as a state. I stand to be corrected. Since the creation of Ekiti State, no president has been this good to Ekiti people.”
The governor recalled that Tinubu sent Shettima to Ekiti twice in May, first to commission projects and subsequently to campaign for his re-election, during which the Vice-President urged the electorate to renew his mandate if they were satisfied with his performance.
Oyebanji said the outcome of the June 20 governorship election, in which he secured 85.7 per cent of the votes, was not merely a personal victory but an endorsement of the President and the APC.
“Mr. Vice President, sir, our message to Mr. President is that there is no problem in Ekiti State. We have made up our minds that come January 16th, we are going to double the tally of what we did in June this year. We are one, Ekiti is united.”
He pointed to the presence of opposition governorship candidates and former governors Ayo Fayose, Niyi Adebayo and Kayode Fayemi as evidence of the cooperation among political leaders supporting the President, adding that former Governor Segun Oni had sent an apology for his absence.
“I can say it boldly here, that there is no problem in Ekiti State. We are going to return the President with nothing less than 80% of total votes in Ekiti State. That is a charge to all Ekiti people.”
Oyebanji maintained that the January presidential election would provide an opportunity for Ekiti residents to express appreciation for federal interventions, including the Ado-Akure road, the contract for the Ilawe-Ado road, reconstruction of the Itawure-Aramoko-Iyin-Ado road and programmes supporting women.
In a development that drew attention at the rally, Oluyede, who contested the June governorship election on the PDP platform, mounted the podium to declare support for Tinubu, saying candidates of other political parties had resolved to work with Oyebanji for the President’s re-election.
“We, from the opposition parties, are standing firm and standing by our Governor today. And we are showing the Governor, and the President, that we are going to deliver 99% of the votes to him.
“There is no opposition in Ekiti. Governor Biodun Oyebanji has done good works in Ekiti. The President has been kind and generous to us, and we see his good work.”
Oluyede urged Ekiti residents to participate massively in the January election, expressing confidence that the political cooperation among the state’s leaders would translate into votes for Tinubu.
“We have 1,028,000 votes to deliver and I am looking forward to that,” he added.
The APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, who presented the party’s candidates for the presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections, defended the administration’s economic reforms, particularly changes to the tax system and interventions in education.
“He is a performer. He is a reformer. He has reformed our tax system. In those days, that simple mama-put woman will pay tax. The woman who is selling chicken will pay tax. Every woman selling vegetables pays tax. Today, all those small mama-put women selling in the market, people that have less than 100 million Naira per annum don’t pay tax,” he said.
Yilwatda also cited the NELFUND student loan programme, saying beneficiaries received support for their education, including a N20,000 monthly maintenance allowance.
“Today, I present President Bola Tinubu again for a second term. People of Nigeria, come out on the 16th of January to ensure that we return President Bola Tinubu for a second term,” he said.
He also urged voters to support Bamidele and other APC National Assembly candidates in January and the party’s State House of Assembly candidates in February.
Similarly, Bamidele appealed to Ekiti residents to vote for the APC across the various elective positions, stressing the importance of sustained political mobilisation ahead of the elections.
“I look forward to all people of Ekiti coming out in their number to vote Mr. President, to vote the National Assembly members, to vote the Senators, vote the House of Reps and vote also the House of Assembly. Thank you and God bless you.”
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, defended the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, security initiatives and workers’ welfare programmes, citing the approval of the N70,000 national minimum wage as one of the measures introduced to improve workers’ living conditions.
He also maintained that the administration had strengthened the country’s security architecture through additional military formations and recruitment into security agencies.
The former Edo governor criticised previous administrations over the decline of major industries, including textile companies, Michelin and Dunlop, arguing that the Tinubu government was pursuing reforms intended to address longstanding economic challenges.
The rally brought together APC leaders, former governors, National Assembly members, opposition governorship candidates and party supporters as the ruling party continued its nationwide mobilisation for the 2027 general elections.
With the APC leadership setting an 800,000-vote target and Oyebanji promising at least 80 per cent of the votes cast, the Ekiti campaign has placed particular emphasis on consolidating support across party lines, defending the administration’s record and mobilising voters ahead of the January 16 presidential election.
