Vice-President, Kashim Shettima has urged Akwa Ibom voters to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing economic reforms and continuity in governance.
Shettima made the appeal at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Uyo on Friday.
He described Tinubu as an experienced leader who had stabilised an economy that was previously in difficulty.
The vice-president also highlighted Tinubu’s political influence, citing successive Lagos governors who had supported his leadership since 2007.
He said Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode and Babajide Sanwo-Olu had governed Lagos since Tinubu left office as governor.
According to him, their succession demonstrated a political structure capable of accommodating different personalities while maintaining a common purpose.
Shettima said, “This is an important distinction between attracting followers and developing leaders.
“Followers may gather around opportunity or personal loyalty.
“Developing leaders requires a different investment, which includes the willingness to share responsibility, accommodate differing judgement, and create institutions capable of functioning beyond one’s personal control.”
He added that the presidency should not be regarded as a retirement benefit for long years in politics.
Rather, he said, it required strong political will and an established leadership structure.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also expressed confidence in Akwa Ibom’s support for Tinubu and other APC candidates in 2027.
Akpabio assured the president and party faithful that the state was prepared to deliver more than two million votes for Tinubu.
Similarly, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Nigerians to re-elect Tinubu in 2027.
Yilwatda said Tinubu’s political journey demonstrated his commitment to public service and willingness to take difficult decisions.
He attributed the country’s economic changes to the president’s reforms, claiming they had positively affected the economy.
He said, “Today, the reforms he has made have changed the economy of Nigeria.
“The World Bank, the IMF, all the national economic ranking bodies have testified, have advised, and have said that Nigeria is taking the right decision and is headed in the right direction and the numbers are excellent.
