Tinubu to APC Campaign Council: Deliver Your Wards, Deliver the Votes

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2027 general election, urging members to mobilise voters across the country while ensuring that governance remains a priority.

Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday at the inauguration ceremony held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where he emphasised party unity, discipline and commitment to securing electoral support ahead of the presidential election.

The President said the party’s previous electoral successes would only be meaningful if its leaders and members worked collectively to deliver votes in their respective wards in the forthcoming election.

“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 expressed confidence in the campaign council, urging its members to communicate the administration’s policies and programmes effectively to Nigerians under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He, however, acknowledged the advice of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, who urged him not to allow campaign activities to distract him from his responsibilities as President.

Responding, Tinubu said the advice was timely, adding that he would continue to engage Nigerians directly while the campaign council coordinated political mobilisation across 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,” the President said.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining economic stability and attracting investments, noting that the government had financial obligations to meet and that international creditors expected Nigeria to honour its commitments.

“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 added.

The President charged the campaign council to conduct its activities responsibly and engage Nigerians constructively while explaining the objectives and expected benefits of government policies.

Earlier, Uzodimma assured Tinubu that APC governors and other party leaders would work to communicate the administration’s message to Nigerians during the campaign.

Tinubu also commended Vice-President Kashim Shettima for his speech at the event, describing it as excellent, and praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for their contributions to his administration when he governed Lagos State.

He particularly recalled efforts to address the threat posed by Atlantic Ocean encroachment, saying the experience demonstrated the importance of taking on ambitious development projects.

“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,” he said.

Shettima Defends Tinubu, Criticises Atiku and Obi

In his remarks, Shettima praised Tinubu’s political courage and commitment to democratic development, citing his support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2007.

According to Shettima, Tinubu supported Atiku’s bid to contest the presidency on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The Vice-President also criticised Atiku over his comments about Tinubu, insisting that the office of the President deserved respect irrespective of political differences.

“You can call him Bola, if you like, call him Adekunle, but he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Shettima said.

He also criticised Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Movement, over what he described as the use of questionable statistics and comparisons between Nigeria and other countries without adequate context.

The inauguration marks a step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, with Tinubu urging party leaders to combine electoral mobilisation with continued attention to governance and national development.