‘Importing wine from South Africa does not make you an economy expert – Shettima tackles Obi

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to reject opposition presidential hopefuls Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 general election, insisting that they have nothing to offer the country.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, made the appeal on Wednesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Akure, Ondo State.

Shettima challenged Obi and Atiku to present their records in public office and policy alternatives to Nigerians rather than depend on social media campaigns.

He said the opposition had failed to demonstrate what it could offer the country, while describing the two politicians as no match for Tinubu.

Shettima takes swipe at Atiku, Obi

The Vice-President questioned Atiku’s political standing in his home state of Adamawa, claiming that even former governors of the state were not supporting his presidential ambition.

He also criticised Obi, accusing him of relying on what he described as “obnoxious data” instead of verifiable achievements.

“The ability to import cheap South African wines does not make one a guru in economics,” Shettima said.

He described Obi’s administration as Anambra State governor as mediocre and challenged opposition politicians to identify their major achievements during the past 25 years of democratic governance.

Shettima also claimed that Tinubu enjoyed what he called a “universal elite consensus” in Ondo State, contrasting the President’s support in the state with what he described as the limited backing Obi and Atiku enjoyed in their respective home states.

He cited former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, former governorship candidate Chief Olusola Oke and House of Representatives member Gboyega Adefarati as evidence of the APC’s growing political support in Ondo.

The Vice-President also claimed that former Anambra governors Chris Ngige, Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Willie Obiano, as well as incumbent Governor Charles Soludo, were not aligned with Obi.

Shettima projects 1.2 million votes

Shettima said the APC was targeting at least 1.2 million votes from Ondo State in the 2027 presidential election.

He put the state’s registered voters at 2.1 million, with about 1.8 million said to have collected their Permanent Voter Cards.

The Vice-President described the massive turnout at the rally as a political statement, recalling similar outings in Cross River, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ebonyi and Jigawa states.

He also highlighted what he described as Tinubu’s achievements in the past three and a half years and commended Ondo APC leaders for setting aside their differences.

Aiyedatiwa promises one million votes

In his address, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa promised to deliver one million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Aiyedatiwa thanked the President for what he described as progressive policies and interventions, saying Ondo residents voted massively for Tinubu in 2023 because of his leadership record as governor of Lagos State.

He said Tinubu had justified the confidence reposed in him through reforms whose benefits, according to him, had reached the grassroots.

The governor also appreciated the President for appointing three ministers from Ondo State to oversee the finance, interior and youth development portfolios.

He listed his administration’s achievements to include the recruitment of more than 6,000 workers, road and bridge projects, the rehabilitation of health institutions and support for young entrepreneurs.

“We will all go to the mountains, to the hills and everywhere to tell the people about your re-election,” Aiyedatiwa said.

Yilwatda: Tinubu most prepared of 18 candidates

The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described Tinubu as the most experienced, exposed, prepared and competent among the 18 presidential candidates expected to contest the 2027 election.

Yilwatda said Tinubu had confronted the country’s economic challenges, adding that more than 31 states that could not pay workers’ salaries when the President assumed office could now meet their obligations.

Yari says Tinubu has given Ondo more than ministerial appointments

The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to Ondo through appointments and other benefits.

“These five positions are equivalent to about 10 ministers in Ondo,” Yari said.

He argued that the President had given the state considerable attention despite its not being an oil-producing state, citing infrastructure projects, the nine per cent allocation and cash transfer arrangements.

Yari urged APC leaders to intensify mobilisation, saying the party was seeking not just victory in Ondo but a substantial vote margin for Tinubu nationally.

“We are not looking for Asiwaju to win in Ondo State. We are looking for Asiwaju to get millions of votes that will give the margin for the presidency,” he said.

Uzodimma urges residents to collect PVCs

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged Ondo residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the election.

Uzodimma said the state had 2.4 million registered voters, but only 1.4 million had collected their PVCs, leaving nearly one million cards uncollected at INEC offices.

He called on residents to embrace unity and put their grievances aside, describing Ondo as Tinubu’s political home.

Oshiomhole says Nigeria needs statesmen, not petty traders

Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, urged Nigerian youths to support Tinubu, arguing that the country needed statesmen rather than petty traders in politics.

Oshiomhole praised the President for appointing what he described as competent people to key positions, citing the Minister of Finance. He also commended the administration’s investments in road and railway infrastructure.

The senator further claimed that Tinubu had approved an additional N70,000 for federal civil servants and was committed to creating jobs.

He said the President planned to undertake a major review of the power sector in his second term, with the aim of doubling electricity generation and addressing transmission challenges.

Oshiomhole also urged youths to compare the time and resources required to establish a factory or refinery with those needed to set up a shopping mall, arguing that Obi’s business orientation was unsuitable for long-term national development.

Mimiko, Oke, Bamidele pledge support

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko pledged to work with other political leaders to deliver votes for Tinubu and all APC candidates seeking National Assembly seats.

Mimiko commended the President for building what he described as an elite consensus on major national issues, including state police. However, he cautioned that establishing state police would not automatically end insecurity.

Chief Olusola Oke, a party leader and former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, also pledged support for Tinubu.

Oke said the state’s political leaders were indebted to the President for projects and appointments, promising to work towards achieving the one million-vote target announced by Aiyedatiwa.

He also dismissed what he described as social media propaganda against the APC.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, urged party leaders to rally behind Aiyedatiwa, whom he described as the state campaign coordinator, to achieve the target.

Bamidele said Tinubu had sent two messages to the party: that the January 16 election would involve the presidential and National Assembly contests, not the governorship election, and that Aiyedatiwa remained the sole campaign coordinator but must carry all stakeholders along.

He called for the inclusion of Chief Mrs Oladunni Odu, DI Kekemeke, Oke, Wale Akinterinwa and Mimiko in the campaign structure, saying unity among party leaders would make the target achievable.

The Senate leader also cited Tinubu’s appointment of three ministers and two ambassadors from Ondo State, to the United Nations and Russia, respectively, arguing that the appointments should translate into votes for the President.

Those present at the rally included the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele; Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; member representing Akoko North-East/North-West Federal Constituency, Ifeoluwa Ehindero; members of the State Executive Council and Ondo State House of Assembly; APC candidates and chieftains; local government chairmen; political appointees; artisans; support groups; Iyalajes and Iyalojas; and youths, among others.

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