President Bola Tinubu has charged leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work together to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election, stressing that their efforts in the previous election would only count fully when they deliver again.
Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, urging members to demonstrate unity, discipline and commitment ahead of the poll.
The President expressed appreciation to party members for their contributions during the last election but said they must remain focused on securing votes across their respective wards and constituencies.
“I thank all of you for the last election, but no one gets credit for an incomplete assignment until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your electoral wards, until you deliver the votes,” he said.
Tinubu also urged the campaign council to intensify political mobilisation without allowing electioneering activities to distract his administration from governance.
He acknowledged the advice of Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, who counselled him to remain focused on his presidential responsibilities while party leaders handled campaign activities across the country.
The President said he would continue to engage directly with Nigerians while his campaign team mobilised support in the states and local government areas.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait. We want those investors to come in and invest for the future of our children,” he said.
Tinubu further charged members of the council to communicate the administration’s policies and programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda and engage Nigerians responsibly.
Earlier, Uzodimma assured the President that governors and other party leaders would work to deliver the APC’s message to Nigerians during the campaign.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, in his remarks, commended Tinubu’s commitment to democracy, citing his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2007 under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria.
Shettima also criticised Atiku for what he described as an attempt to diminish the office of the President.
“You can call him Bola, if you like, call him Adekunle, but he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
The Vice President also criticised the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Movement, Peter Obi, accusing him of presenting misleading statistics and comparing Nigeria with other countries without adequate context.
Tinubu also praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for their contributions to his achievements as governor, particularly efforts to address the encroachment of the Atlantic Ocean.
“There is a limit, but there is no limit in daring. We dared the Atlantic Ocean, and the result is the Atlantic City in Lagos,” the President said.