•Tinubu and Shettima
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure a second term in office, declaring that the ruling party is heading into the 2027 presidential election with what he described as its “best candidate” based on the administration’s performance.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday during the submission of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nentawe said the event marked the culmination of the APC’s internal nomination process, which began with party primaries for legislative, governorship and presidential positions.
According to him, more than 12 million APC members overwhelmingly endorsed President Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate, describing the outcome as a clear reflection of the confidence party members have in the administration, reports Saturday Independent.
The APC chairman expressed optimism that the president’s support would extend beyond the party’s membership, arguing that beneficiaries of the administration’s policies and projects would also back Tinubu in the 2027 election.
He cited the federal government’s student loan programme, road infrastructure development and agricultural interventions as some of the achievements that, in his view, have positively impacted millions of Nigerians.
Nentawe said over 1.5 million students had benefited from the student loan scheme, while ongoing road projects across the country’s six geopolitical zones had improved connectivity, created jobs and stimulated economic activities in many communities.
He also pointed to agricultural support initiatives, particularly the distribution of fertilisers to farmers, saying the interventions were evidence of the administration’s commitment to boosting food production and supporting rural livelihoods.
The APC chairman urged party leaders, governors and supporters to intensify efforts to publicise what he described as the successes of the Tinubu administration, insisting that the party must counter misinformation with verifiable facts.
He recounted sharing details of government projects with residents of his community and encouraged Nigerians to verify the claims independently, saying the administration’s achievements could withstand public scrutiny.
Nentawe also challenged APC governors to compete in delivering the highest number of votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 election, describing such rivalry as healthy for the party’s mobilisation efforts.
He maintained that the APC remained united and confident of victory, stressing that the party had no doubts about its chances at the polls.
According to him, the ruling party is presenting a candidate whose record in governance speaks for itself, expressing confidence that Nigerians would reward the administration with another mandate in 2027.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the APC received the completed Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for onward submission to the electoral body in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka dismissed speculations surrounding its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, confirming that Vice President Kashim Shettima remains President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate.
Responding to questions on whether Shettima remained the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Morka said the submission of the completed nomination forms had put the matter beyond doubt.
“He is the vice presidential candidate of the party. We have just received the duly completed INEC nomination forms from Mr. President and Mr. Vice-President for onward transmission to INEC,” he said.
Asked to comment on speculation over the APC retaining its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, Morka declined to engage in what he described as rumours and conjecture.
According to him, the ruling party is guided by due process and facts rather than speculation.
“We don’t deal in or traffic in speculations. We are about process,” he said, adding that the APC had completed its primary election process and was now focused on fulfilling the legal requirement of submitting the nomination forms to INEC.
The APC spokesman maintained that the party would only act on established facts and official processes, stressing that the submission of the nomination forms marked the next stage in its preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
He said the APC remained committed to following the electoral process and would continue to communicate its decisions through official channels rather than responding to unverified claims circulating in the public space.
