By Ochiagha Nnanna Okere
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Friday led governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in reaffirming their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, as the party formally retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as the President’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum during the submission of the completed nomination forms of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima to the APC National Working Committee (NWC) for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Uzodimma declared that APC governors were united and resolute in ensuring another electoral victory for the party.
“We are here to submit the INEC nomination forms of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima,” Uzodimma said.
The Imo governor praised the Tinubu administration’s performance over the last three and a half years, describing it as one that has inspired confidence among APC governors and Nigerians.
“We, the governors of the APC, are happy with the way the President is piloting the affairs of this country. We are here to say that our President has done very well in the last three and a half years, and we will continue to support him to take this nation to greater heights,” he stated.
Reaffirming the commitment of the governors to the party’s 2027 campaign, Uzodimma said the APC was fully prepared to mobilise across the country to secure victory for President Tinubu and all the party’s candidates.
“We reaffirm our support for the President to win a second term in 2027. We are ready to face the campaigns and deliver the President and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections. APC has come to stay,” he added.
The event also put to rest months of speculation over the APC’s vice-presidential ticket, as the party officially retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Tinubu’s running mate, despite earlier debates surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted during the 2023 general election.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, who represented the President, formally presented the joint nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to the APC National Working Committee.
“I am here on behalf of our father, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to submit his nomination forms, duly completed and signed, together with the sworn affidavit for Mr President and Vice President, Kashim Shettima,” Masari said.
In his remarks, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the 2027 presidential election, attributing the optimism to the administration’s achievements and the growing support base of the APC.
According to him, millions of Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones were ready to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid, urging party leaders to intensify public awareness of the administration’s accomplishments.
“The APC is presenting the best candidate in terms of good governance in this country. Come 2027, our victory is assured,” Yilwatda said, adding that the party would embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation to secure victory.
The submission ceremony attracted several APC governors and senior party leaders, including Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), as well as the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, members of the APC National Working Committee, House of Representatives member James Faleke, and other stakeholders.
