President Bola Tinubu on Saturday flag off the APC presidential campaign in Kaduna State
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to vote for him and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, saying his administration needs another term to complete the reforms it has started.
The President made the appeal on Saturday in Kaduna while addressing a massive crowd during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign.
Tinubu said the support shown by residents of Kaduna and thousands of party supporters from across the North reminded him of the confidence Nigerians placed in him three years ago.
“Three years ago, you gave me the privilege of serving as your President. Today, you filled this city again, hundreds of thousands of you from across the North, and I felt the warmth of your support,” he said.
The President, who attended the rally alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima and their wives, described Kaduna as a city with a rich place in Nigeria’s history.
He said he remembered the country’s founding leaders who met in Kaduna before independence and prayed that Almighty Allah would grant them forgiveness and eternal peace.
Responding to criticisms over hardship in the country, Tinubu said the economic challenges facing Nigerians did not begin under his administration, insisting that his government was taking difficult but necessary decisions to address them.
“My opponents talk about hunger and poverty. I asked the crowd today who created these problems. They did. We are the ones working to eradicate them,” he said.
According to him, the era of fuel subsidy fraud, fake invoices and fuel smuggling has ended.
“The subsidy racket, fraudulent invoices and fuel smuggling are firmly behind us, and there is no going back. We confronted what we inherited with courage and political will, and we are building an economy that rewards hard work and creates opportunities for our people,” Tinubu stated.
The President admitted that many Nigerians had faced difficult times but assured them that the sacrifices would soon produce better results.
“I know the road has been hard. I hear you. Your sacrifices will not be in vain, and I will not rest until the progress we are making is felt in your homes, your businesses and your pockets,” he said.
Tinubu also praised APC governors for using increased revenues from the Federal Government’s economic reforms to improve infrastructure and public services across their states.
“Our progressive governors are building roads, hospitals, schools and markets across their states, supported by increased revenues from the reforms we undertook. Salaries are being paid regularly, and development is taking shape. I am proud of what they are delivering for our people,” he added.
Making a direct appeal to Nigerians ahead of the election, the President urged eligible voters to come out with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and renew the mandate of the APC administration.
“On January 16, 2027, come out with your PVCs and give Vice President Kashim Shettima and me the mandate to finish what we started. Your future is in your hands, and your fingerprints at the ballot will help determine it,” Tinubu said.
He also thanked Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for hosting the campaign flag-off and expressed appreciation to the people of Kaduna for their continued support.
The APC officially flagged off its nationwide presidential campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, with party leaders expressing confidence that Tinubu and Shettima would secure a second term in office at the 2027 general election.
