By Mark Aba
Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Ondo State a political “shutdown”, expressing confidence that the party would secure at least 1.2 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Shettima, who spoke at the rally, commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the people of Ondo State for their massive turnout, describing the gathering as a clear demonstration of the APC’s political strength and growing support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He said the Ondo rally had sustained the momentum generated by the party’s previous campaign engagements in Kaduna, Cross River, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ebonyi and Jigawa states.
According to him, the successive rallies reflected the increasing acceptance of the Tinubu administration and the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Here in Ondo, the game is over. This is a shutdown,” the Vice President declared, expressing appreciation to the state government and residents for their support.
Shettima also took aim at opposition presidential contenders, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, questioning their ability to build political consensus within their respective home states.
He argued that Atiku had failed to secure the backing of influential political figures in Adamawa State, despite his longstanding political influence in the area.
The Vice President cited former governors Boni Haruna, Murtala Nyako, Bala Ngilari and Mohammed Bindow Jibrilla, as well as incumbent Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, among prominent figures he claimed were not aligned with Atiku’s political ambition.
He questioned how the former Vice President could unite the country if he was unable to establish political cohesion within his home state.
On Obi, Shettima challenged the former governor’s economic credentials, arguing that his claims of competence should be assessed against his record in Anambra State rather than political rhetoric. He also questioned the extent of his support among influential political stakeholders in the state.
Speaking at the rally, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, urged Nigerians to give Tinubu a second term, arguing that his administration had stabilised the economy and improved the financial capacity of state governments.
Yilwatda urged voters to assess the 18 presidential candidates based on their experience, exposure, preparedness and leadership records.
He maintained that Tinubu had demonstrated the courage to confront difficult national challenges, including the economic difficulties inherited by his administration.
According to him, more than 31 states struggled to meet their salary obligations when Tinubu assumed office, but the situation had improved, with state governments now better positioned to pay workers’ salaries.
Also addressing the gathering, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, called on Ondo residents to mobilise massive support for Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Yari highlighted the number of prominent indigenes of Ondo State occupying strategic positions in the Tinubu administration, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Interior, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry and the Special Adviser to the President on Energy, Oil and Gas.
He said the appointments demonstrated the President’s recognition of Ondo State and its contributions to national development, arguing that the opportunities given to its indigenes should encourage greater political support for his re-election.
In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged that Ondo State would deliver one million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The governor said the state supported Tinubu in the 2023 election because of his record as former governor of Lagos State and remained confident in his leadership.
He also cited the appointment of three ministers from Ondo State to oversee the finance, youth development and interior portfolios as evidence of the President’s commitment to the state.
While expressing support for the administration’s economic reforms, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged that their benefits had yet to fully reach Nigerians, but maintained that the policies were designed to reposition the country for prosperity.
He assured the President that the APC-led government in Ondo State would intensify grassroots mobilisation across the 18 local government areas, wards and communities to promote the administration’s achievements and secure support for Tinubu’s re-election.
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