2027: Tinubu Appeals to Edo Voters for Second Term, Promises Completion of Projects

BENIN CITY — President Bola Tinubu has urged Edo voters to renew his mandate for another four years, arguing that a second term would allow him to complete ongoing projects and build on the achievements recorded by his administration.

The President made the appeal through Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City yesterday.

The rally also marked the second anniversary of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.

Addressing party supporters, Shettima said the President was seeking another opportunity to complete the work already started by his government.

“We have come this far with your trust and we seek your mandate to finish the work we have begun,” he said.

He maintained that the Federal Government had made significant investments in Edo State, particularly in road infrastructure, electricity and healthcare.

According to him, the administration’s performance should be measured by the positive changes its policies had brought to the lives of citizens.

“We ask that our stewardship be judged by the lives our decisions have touched and the work we are determined to complete,” Shettima added.

Among the projects highlighted by the Vice-President were the dualisation of the Benin-Ekpoma, Benin-Auchi and Benin-Okene roads, as well as emergency repairs on the Benin-Asaba highway.

He also identified the completed Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline as a major investment expected to strengthen electricity generation.

Shettima further disclosed that new transmission lines could contribute an additional 600 megawatts to the national grid.

In the health sector, he referenced the radiotherapy centre at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and government interventions in 158 public health facilities across Edo State.

On the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, he said efforts towards recovering the Benin artefacts had recorded progress, with Cambridge and Sweden transferring ownership of some treasures to Nigeria.

The Vice-President expressed confidence that Tinubu’s projects at the federal level, combined with Okpebholo’s performance in Edo, would translate into victory for the APC on January 16, 2027.

Governor targets 2.5 million votes

In his remarks, Okpebholo declared his readiness to mobilise massive support for Tinubu’s re-election, saying the President had done enough to deserve victory in Edo State.

He specifically pointed to the benefits of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said had reached about 15,000 Edo residents, as well as ongoing construction projects across the state.

“Mr President has done so much for Edo people. About 15,000 Edo citizens are benefiting from NELFUND. Edo is now a construction site because of the courage of one man, Mr President, who removed fuel subsidy and reformed our tax system,” the governor stated.

Okpebholo promised to secure 2.5 million votes for the President in the 2027 election.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his address, said political leaders of the APC in the South-South had agreed to make the region deliver more votes for Tinubu than any other geopolitical zone.

He argued that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, improved revenue allocations to states under the administration’s fiscal reforms and other infrastructure initiatives had strengthened the region’s support for the President.

“We have resolved that no zone will beat us in the election,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President also mentioned the recruitment of over 500 forest guards from Edo youths and the establishment of the Nigerian Army’s 83 Division in the state as notable achievements of the Tinubu administration.

Similarly, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said improved security in the South-South had helped increase Nigeria’s crude oil output to about 1.8 million barrels per day, compared with barely one million barrels previously.

He said the APC manifesto placed the protection of lives and communities at the centre of its priorities, while disclosing that the party was targeting two million votes from Edo.

Former governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also endorsed Okpebholo’s performance, describing his administration as one that had translated campaign promises into tangible results.

“In the last 24 months, the governor has been building roads, building flyovers, empowering market women, building and equipping public schools, building and equipping health centres. He has the people with him,” Oshiomhole said.

He called on residents to vote for APC candidates across all levels, including Tinubu and the party’s three senatorial candidates.

Oshiomhole argued that electing APC lawmakers would give the President the necessary support in the Senate to implement his programmes and policies.

Also addressing the rally, Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards before the January 16 election.

“If you collect your Permanent Voter Card, you have the weapon. The weapon we need on January 16 is the PVC,” Uzodimma said.

He expressed confidence that Edo would meet the 2.5 million-vote target announced by Governor Okpebholo.