Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that the second term of President Bola Tinubu’s administration will usher in an era of harvest, prosperity and tangible rewards for Nigerians.
Shettima stated this on Tuesday in Calabar during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the toughest phases of the aggressive economic reset undertaken by Tinubu’s administration were over, paving the way for nationwide growth and prosperity.
The vice-president said the administration’s painful but necessary economic reforms had successfully laid the foundation for prosperity.
He promised that the next phase of the administration would deliver the tangible fruits of the sacrifices made by Nigerians.
Shettima urged Nigerians to support the re-election of Tinubu, Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
He described them as trustworthy leaders committed to delivering on their promises to the people.
“We are confident of this promise to deliver for this nation because we have already done the most difficult job of economic reset.
“None of the other options available has the capacity to move the needle of the economy.
“We have rescued the economy, and the road ahead is one of harvest. This second term is one of harvest for you and all Nigerians.
“I, therefore, stand before you today to ask you, once again, to renew the mandate of Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and myself as vice-president.
“I also ask you for another term for Sen. Bassey Otu and Peter Odey as governor and deputy governor of Cross River State, respectively,” he said.
Shettima said what brought the APC and Nigerians together was an alliance for progress, prosperity, opportunity and dignity.
He stressed that the conviction guiding every decision of the administration must be that the people were the purpose.
He noted that the Tinubu administration and the APC were seeking another opportunity to continue their work in a second term.
“Authority belongs to the people, and those entrusted with authority must return with an account of stewardship and a programme worthy of further trust,” he said
Shettima commended the APC in Cross River for maintaining internal harmony and emerging as a model of strength, vision, unity, discipline, courage and conviction.
He said the administration, upon assuming office in 2023, recognised the need to open up Cross River State to the world.
He said this informed the decision to embark on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
“This is the wisdom behind the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This transformative infrastructure project will connect coastal communities.
“It will ease the movement of goods and people. It will expand tourism, attract investors and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
“Our vision is for Cross River to become a major beneficiary of this economic revolution,” he said.
Earlier, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Cross River residents to support the party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.
He described Tinubu as a change agent who deserved re-election, citing several projects and achievements of the administration.
He listed the consolidation of the deep seaport project, resuscitation of the Calabar Port and the Trans-Sahara Super Highway among the projects.
“These are justifications for supporting the APC ticket in the 2027 presidential election,” he said.
The governor also commended Tinubu’s courage and foresight in leading Nigeria through challenging times towards prosperity and sustainable development.
He highlighted the President’s policies in agriculture, education, industry and security, assuring that Cross River residents would ensure Tinubu’s re-election.
Similarly, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari, said Tinubu had performed creditably well and deserved a second term.
Yari dismissed rumours that northern Nigeria would not support the President’s re-election bid.
