….AIYEDATIWA, SANWO-OLU, EX-GOVERNORS ATTEND APC CAMPAIGN FLAG-OFF

President Bola Tinubu has challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State to secure between 90 and 95 per cent of the votes in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, setting an ambitious target for his re-election bid.

The challenge was delivered by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the flag-off of the APC presidential campaign in Ado-Ekiti.

The rally, held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, was attended by Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji; and former governors of the state.

Shettima expressed confidence that the target was achievable, citing the APC’s electoral performance and Oyebanji’s victory in the June 20 governorship election, where he secured 85.74 per cent of the votes.

He recalled that Tinubu polled 201,495 votes in Ekiti during the 2023 presidential election, expressing optimism that the party would improve on the figure, with the state having 1,028,000 registered voters.

The Vice-President said the administration had begun to record gains from its economic reforms, acknowledging the sacrifices made by Nigerians while expressing appreciation for their continued support.

He highlighted federal projects and interventions in Ekiti, including the Akure-Ikere-Ado-Ekiti Road, reconstruction of the Itawure-Aromoko-Ado-Ekiti Road and other road projects linking communities.

Other interventions, he said, included the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, student loans for undergraduates of Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, as well as an ICT experience centre at Ekiti State University.

Shettima also announced that Tinubu had approved the establishment of a mining and geosciences institute in the state.

He challenged opposition parties to present alternative policies, arguing that electoral success was determined by performance and grassroots mobilisation rather than social media activities.

The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, urged Ekiti voters to deliver at least 800,000 votes for Tinubu, citing the administration’s achievements in education, infrastructure, youth development and women’s empowerment.

Yari also defended the government’s economic policies, pointing to improvements in some economic indicators and declining prices of selected food commodities.

Governor Oyebanji assured the President of an overwhelming victory, declaring that Ekiti was united behind his second-term ambition.

He said Tinubu had fulfilled his promise to support Ekiti State through unprecedented federal assistance since assuming office.

Oyebanji also pledged to double the APC’s previous electoral performance in 2027 and ensure Ekiti was among the first states to announce its presidential election results.

The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described Tinubu as a performer and reformer, urging Nigerians to give him another mandate.

He highlighted the administration’s tax reforms, including exemptions for small businesses and traders with annual turnovers below N100 million, as well as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he said had expanded access to higher education and provided monthly upkeep for students.

Former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, also called for support for Tinubu, citing interventions in education, workers’ welfare and national security.

He highlighted the expansion of universities, the student loan scheme, additional support for workers and plans to recruit personnel into security agencies as evidence of the administration’s efforts.

The rally also witnessed a significant political development, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the June 20 election, Dr Wole Oluyede, openly endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Oluyede said Governor Oyebanji’s performance had bridged political divisions in the state, pledging that opposition parties would work towards delivering overwhelming support for the President.

He urged Ekiti residents to vote for Tinubu in January, describing the President as generous and supportive of the state.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidates in the election, Isaac Alade and Chief Joseph Anifowose, respectively, also declared support for the APC presidential ticket.

The campaign rally is part of the APC’s efforts to consolidate support across the country ahead of the 2027 general election.