Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated confidence that Nigeria is “now working,” as he formally submitted the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The submission, which took place on the final day of the designated deadline for aspirants, officially places President Tinubu in the APC presidential primary race for a second term bid. APC Hosts High-Level Submission Event in Abuja The formal presentation ceremony was held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre (BATIC) in Abuja, a venue specially reserved for the president’s submission. Other aspirants submitted their forms at a different designated hotel, highlighting the symbolic importance attached to Tinubu’s participation. The event was marked by strong political messaging from party leaders, who insisted that Nigeria has made significant progress under the current administration and should continue on the same leadership path. Just a day before the submission, the APC National Working Committee (NWC), during its 188th meeting, approved a waiver for President Tinubu, exempting him from the usual screening process. According to the committee, the decision was based on his already established political clearance and widespread endorsement within the party structure. The NWC explained that Tinubu had previously been screened and cleared ahead of the 2022 presidential primaries and had since received overwhelming support from key APC stakeholders, including the Progressive Governors Forum and National Assembly leadership. “Nigeria Has Crossed the River” — Shettima Speaking at the event, Vice President Shettima said the administration has successfully navigated Nigeria through difficult economic conditions and is now on a path of recovery and stability. He praised President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as a leader who remained focused despite economic pressure and political criticism. According to him, the government inherited a challenging economic situation, including weakened foreign reserves, but chose to implement difficult reforms aimed at long-term stability. For broader context on Nigeria’s economic structure and reforms, you can explore this overview from the World Bank: Shettima emphasized that the administration’s reforms are already yielding results, adding that Nigeria has moved “out of the dark tunnel” and is now experiencing gradual economic recovery and renewed investor confidence. He also called for national unity, urging Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious lines to support the continuity of Tinubu’s leadership beyond 2027. APC Leadership Declares Era of Continuity APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described the event as a reaffirmation of continuity in governance, highlighting what he called major achievements in infrastructure development, economic reforms, and institutional renewal. He noted that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), the second-highest decision-making body of the APC, had previously endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, making the current submission a formal continuation of that resolution. According to him, the waiver granted by the NWC was necessary to maintain consistency with earlier party decisions and avoid unnecessary repetition of processes already concluded. Infrastructure and Economic Projects Highlighted Yilwatda further outlined several flagship infrastructure projects under the Tinubu administration. These include: He explained that the railway corridor, particularly the connection toward Maradi in Niger Republic, is expected to strengthen regional trade and improve Nigeria’s position as a commercial hub for landlocked West African countries. The Badagry–Sokoto highway project, according to him, is also designed to boost agricultural productivity by linking irrigation zones and supporting the development of over 300 dams across the northern and southwestern regions. APC Governors Push for Consensus Candidacy In a parallel development, all 31 APC governors have expressed support for a consensus arrangement backing President Tinubu as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 elections. Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, made the announcement in Abuja during the submission of the nomination forms. He stated that the governors are united in their decision to support Tinubu’s re-election bid and are prepared to actively campaign based on the administration’s performance and policy direction. Uzodimma emphasized that the endorsement is not a new political stance but a continuation of an earlier resolution adopted during the APC Political Summit, where party leaders collectively agreed to back the president for a second term.
