Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared the presidential ticket of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima to be the most formidable in Nigeria’s political history. Speaking on Saturday, Yilwatda urged Nigerians to support the duo’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections, arguing that a second term is essential to consolidate the economic reforms and infrastructure projects initiated by the current administration.
The remarks were made at the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Campaign Rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda described the ticket as a combination of political experience, courage, and leadership capacity necessary to address the nation'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,” Yilwatda said.
Yilwatda defended the administration’s controversial economic policies, specifically the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market. While acknowledging that these reforms have created difficulties for households and businesses, he characterized them as necessary steps to rebuild the economy and strengthen public finances. He noted that the government is actively working to cushion the impact of these changes through economic stabilisation measures, social interventions, and infrastructure investments.
The APC chairman also highlighted President Tinubu’s infrastructure programme, praising major highway projects for their potential to improve connectivity and facilitate trade. Yilwatda stated that these initiatives would open up economic corridors, enhance the movement of goods and services, and create new opportunities for citizens, emphasizing that development cannot occur without robust infrastructure.
Focusing on the political landscape in Rivers State, Yilwatda commended members of the Rainbow Coalition for their cross-party support of Tinubu’s re-election bid. He expressed confidence that the state would deliver substantial votes for the president in 2027, citing the mobilisation efforts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, and other political stakeholders.
“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 added.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
