‘Nigeria is now working’ – Shettima
…..VP submits Tinubu’s nomination form …..Yilwatda, PGF, NWC unite for Tinubu’s re-election ….Osifo, Radda, Omo-Agege submit forms Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress
.....VP submits Tinubu’s nomination form
.....Yilwatda, PGF, NWC unite for Tinubu’s re-election
....Osifo, Radda, Omo-Agege submit forms
Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, have called on party members and Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.
The duo spoke during the formal submission of the President’s expression-of-interest and nomination forms ahead of the APC presidential primary scheduled for May 23.
Also at the submission secretariat, Osifo Stanley, the only other aspirant in the race, submitted his forms before the deadline set for Thursday midnight.
The event provided an opportunity for party leaders to highlight the Tinubu administration’s economic policies and reaffirm the APC’s decision to grant the President a waiver from the screening process following his endorsement by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Submitting the forms on behalf of the President, Shettima described Tinubu’s candidacy as critical to national stability and continuity.
He commended the President for taking difficult decisions to stabilise the economy, noting that the administration inherited serious economic challenges, including low foreign reserves.
“Instead of passing blame or postponing difficult decisions, he chose to confront the challenges head-on and make the country work,” Shettima said.
The Vice President stated that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda had helped steer the country toward economic recovery and urged Nigerians across political, ethnic and religious divides to support the President’s re-election.
“He has sailed the nation through difficult times with courage and determination,” he added.
In his remarks, APC National Chairman Professor Yilwatda said the party was committed to sustaining what he described as a leadership built on courage, renewal and continuity.
He disclosed that the National Working Committee waived the screening process for President Tinubu in recognition of the overwhelming endorsement earlier granted to him by the party’s NEC.
"The NEC is the second-highest decision-making organ of the party," Yilwatda explained. "We decided to waive screening for Mr. President so that we can maintain the dignity of NEC, the dignity of the NWC, and the dignity of all party members who overwhelmingly endorsed him."
Yilwatda pointed to sweeping reforms in infrastructure and energy as the primary drivers behind the party’s support. He specifically cited the modernisation of ports, the Lagos-Kano-Maradi railway, and the Sokoto-Badagry road corridor—which is expected to support over 300 irrigation dams.
"Infrastructure is no longer decaying. Mr. President is building infrastructure that will support the projected $1 trillion economy," Yilwatda stated. He also praised the liberalisation of the power sector, noting that "states are now free to participate" in independent power generation, which has led to a more stable national supply.
The ceremony, which was witnessed by major party chieftains from the six geopolitical zones, also had members of the Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF), the National Working Committee (NWC), and other party leaders.
Meanwhile, the ruling party is facing divergent paths in its primary elections as key stakeholders returned their nomination forms at the party’s national headquarters on Thursday.
While Katsina State has consolidated its ranks through a consensus arrangement, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege is demanding a direct primary to decide his fate in Delta State.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, who is seeking a second term, expressed total confidence in the party’s dominance in his home state.
Following the submission of his expression of interest and nomination forms, Radda revealed that the state chapter had reached a unanimous decision on its internal electoral process.
"We met with all the stakeholders in the state and then we all agreed that we are going to adopt consensus," Governor Radda stated. "This is to ensure we continue with the party’s strength and cohesion and to also maintain peace."
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The Governor highlighted that Katsina remains an APC stronghold, citing the party's control over 361 ward councillors, 34 local governments, and all state and national assembly seats. He attributed his local popularity to his administration’s aggressive stance on security.
In sharp contrast, the political atmosphere in Delta State remains charged. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, eyeing a return to the "Red Chamber" (Senate), has distanced himself from any backroom arrangements, insisting on a direct primary where every party member can vote.
"I will submit myself to direct primaries," Omo-Agege declared firmly.
The former Deputy Senate President, who is currently embroiled in a leadership tussle within the Delta APC, claimed that his return is driven by the demands of his constituents, who feel their "voice is no longer being heard" in the National Assembly.
"The Nigerian project—nothing is given to you for free. You only receive what you fight for," Omo-Agege remarked. "It is your ability to wage a war on behalf of your people that determines what you bring home by way of the dividends of democracy. They have seen what I did; they are missing it."
Omo-Agege also framed his candidacy as a strategic move to support the presidency, noting that his constituents believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requires a "powerful figure" in the National Assembly to complement his efforts ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
