* Rivers people’ll not take your support for granted, Wike tells President
* Fubara: We pledge three million votes for you
President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Rivers State residents to support his re-election bid in 2027, promising to prioritise economic recovery, education, healthcare, youth development and citizens’ welfare if given a second term.
Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, organised by the Rainbow Coalition led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The President, who expressed gratitude to Rivers residents for their support during the 2023 general elections, said he was returning to the state to seek their backing for another four years.
“Today, I return here to say thank you and to seek your support once again for a second term. I am seeking that support because you believe in me,” he said.
Addressing concerns over hunger and economic hardship, Tinubu insisted that his administration was working to address challenges inherited from previous governments.
“When those people talk about hunger, remember that I am cleaning up the mess they created. Atiku was one of them,” he said.
He also questioned the source of funding for the private university established by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar while in public office, alleging that public resources were used to finance it.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to improving Nigerians’ welfare, particularly that of young people, saying education, skills development and youth empowerment would receive priority attention.
He also pledged to promote the welfare of retirees through improved and prompt payment of pensions and gratuities.
The President urged Rivers residents to use their Permanent Voter Cards wisely to secure a better and more progressive Nigeria.
He commended Wike and the people of Rivers State for their support for his re-election ambition, particularly Wike’s role in promoting reconciliation and restoring peace following the political crisis that rocked the state.
Tinubu also praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to peace, saying the governor would not regret his efforts to restore stability in the state.
“I sincerely appreciate Wike, Fubara, APC members and the Rainbow Coalition Campaign Council for their support,” he said.
The President further described Wike as an important development partner, commending his commitment to infrastructure development.
Earlier, Wike assured Tinubu that Rivers residents would massively support his re-election, citing the President’s appointment of at least 47 indigenes of the state to strategic positions at the national level.
“We cannot take the President’s support to us for granted. Rivers people will vote massively for the President in the 2027 presidential election,” he said.
Fubara, in his remarks, promised that the state would deliver at least three million votes for Tinubu in the election.
“We shall continue to work together to ensure that the President wins the election. That is our promise,” he said.
The governor thanked Tinubu for his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta through critical infrastructure projects, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He also appreciated the campaign team for providing Rivers residents with an opportunity to demonstrate their political strength and support for the President.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Tinubu, during the visit, inaugurated the Bonny-Bodo Road project and presented the APC governorship flag to the party’s candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda.
Speaking on the ticket of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, described it as the most formidable in Nigeria’s political history, urging Nigerians to support their re-election in 2027.
Yilwatda said Tinubu deserved another term in office to consolidate the economic reforms and infrastructure projects initiated by his administration.
He made the remarks at the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Campaign Rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman said the Tinubu-Shettima ticket combined political experience, courage and leadership capacity required to address the country’s challenges.
“The most formidable presidential ticket we have ever produced in Nigeria is the Tinubu-Shettima ticket. We have a candidate in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is fearless, courageous and determined to confront the challenges of our country. He has demonstrated the capacity to take difficult decisions in the national interest, and he has remained resolute in pursuing the transformation of Nigeria,” he said.
Yilwatda defended the administration’s economic policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, describing them as necessary measures to rebuild the economy and strengthen public finances.
While acknowledging that the reforms had created difficulties for households and businesses, he maintained that the government was working to cushion their effects through economic stabilisation measures, social interventions and infrastructure investments.
The APC chairman also commended Tinubu’s infrastructure programme, particularly major highway projects, which he said would improve connectivity, facilitate trade and create economic opportunities.
“We have a President who understands that development cannot happen without infrastructure. He has initiated an ambitious infrastructure revolution through major highway projects that will connect different parts of Nigeria, open up economic corridors, facilitate the movement of goods and services and create new opportunities for our people,” Yilwatda said.
He urged Nigerians to support the continuation of the administration’s policies, arguing that a second term would enable Tinubu to consolidate the reforms and deliver their expected benefits.
On Rivers State politics, Yilwatda commended political leaders and members of the Rainbow Coalition for rallying behind Tinubu’s re-election bid across party lines.
He said the growing political cooperation in the state reflected a shared commitment to national development, irrespective of political affiliation.
“Come 2027, we want to continue with this reformer and performer as our President. That is why the coalition and the people of Rivers State, irrespective of political party, have decided to work together for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Yilwatda expressed confidence that Rivers State would deliver substantial votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the mobilisation efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other political leaders.
“Come January 2027, Rivers State will stand still. With the mobilisation capacity of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and other political leaders and stakeholders, we are confident that Rivers will deliver maximum votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He added that the APC expected the continuation of Tinubu’s policies to translate into wider economic benefits for Nigerians.
[THE HOPE]
