By Chesa Chesa
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerians across political, religious and social divides to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he seeks another term in office, describing his leadership as pivotal to the country’s recovery and growth.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja when he submitted the President’s nomination and expression of interest forms on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Vice President said the gathering underscored a shared national commitment to continuity and progress.
Shettima, who noted that formal parliamentary campaigns had yet to begin, kept his remarks brief but emphatic, stressing that the moment was about national unity and support for a tested leader. “We are here as Nigerians first, and as members of the APC, to submit this priceless nomination form of our dear President and leader,” he said.
The Vice President praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda has yielded “phenomenal” socio-economic outcomes and positioned Nigeria on a path of stability and revival. According to him, the President has demonstrated resilience and courage in navigating the country through economic and political challenges.
“He has sailed this ship through troubling waters with courage, taking difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise the economy, restore confidence and prepare Nigeria for a more sustainable future,” Shettima stated.
Reflecting on the state of the nation when Tinubu assumed office, Shettima said Nigeria faced significant economic constraints, including low foreign reserves. He commended the President for confronting these challenges head-on rather than shifting blame. “Instead of passing blame, he chose to take responsibility, to win the election and to make the country work. And Nigeria is now working,” he stated.
The Vice President further described Tinubu as a unifying figure who has remained steadfast despite criticism, noting that the trials of recent years have strengthened his leadership and endeared him to party faithful.
Calling for collective responsibility ahead of the 2027 elections, Shettima urged Nigerians to contribute in various ways — from promoting the administration’s achievements to mobilising grassroots support — in order to safeguard the nation’s future.
“Every one of us has a role to play… It is incumbent on all of us, as a matter of sacrifice and contribution, to protect the hope of Nigerians. By the special grace of God, we urge all Nigerians to support the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027,” Shettima said.
Also speaking at the event, National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, described the moment as a symbol of continuity in governance, reforms and national renewal.
According to him, the party’s decision to back President Tinubu for a second term was rooted in earlier resolutions of its highest organs, including the National Executive Committee (NEC), which had unanimously endorsed the President.
“As a party, we are happy that this support is not just from the National Working Committee alone. Last year, the governors and all of us who are members of the NEC overwhelmingly and without exemption endorsed Mr President for a second term,” he said.
Yilwatda explained that the decision by the party’s National Working Committee to waive the President’s screening was to preserve the integrity of that endorsement and uphold internal party consensus.
“That is the reason why the National Working Committee, in its wisdom, decided to waive screening for Mr President so that we can maintain the dignity of NEC and the dignity of all party members who overwhelmingly endorsed him,” he stated.
The APC chairman further justified the endorsement by pointing to what he described as bold economic reforms and visible infrastructure development across the country. He noted that Nigeria had been at a critical economic juncture, with fiscal pressures raising fears of economic collapse before the current administration intervened.
“But today, Mr President is implementing reforms that many leaders only used as campaign promises for years. We are not merely campaigning; rather, we are making real changes in this country,” he said.
He cited increased revenue allocation to states and local governments, ongoing modernisation of ports, railway expansion projects linking Lagos to Kano and Maradi, and the development of major road corridors, including the Badagry–Sokoto highway, as evidence of progress.
