President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched fresh attacks on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, questioning their leadership abilities and suitability to govern Nigeria.
Tinubu made the remarks on Friday while addressing a large crowd of supporters at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The President accused Obi of lacking the courage to confront difficult development challenges, particularly citing the erosion problem in Anambra State during his tenure as governor.
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Comparing his administration in Lagos with Obi’s record in Anambra, Tinubu said effective leadership required the determination to tackle difficult problems rather than avoid them.
“He ran away from erosion in Anambra State. He could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean,” the President declared.
Tinubu also questioned Obi’s political consistency, referring to his movement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Labour Party (LP) and subsequently to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He argued that frequent political movements raised questions about the former governor’s loyalty, commitment and ability to maintain stable political structures.
The President also criticised Atiku, accusing him of abandoning the PDP when his leadership position came under pressure.
According to Tinubu, the former Vice President’s political decisions demonstrated a lack of the cohesion and responsibility required to lead the country.
He said Nigerians should carefully consider the leadership records of opposition politicians before entrusting them with the presidency.
Tinubu Praises Umo Eno, Approves Airport Upgrade and Deep Seaport
While criticising opposition politicians, Tinubu commended Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for what he described as his commitment to development and the welfare of residents.
He praised the governor for confronting environmental challenges and executing projects across the state.
“Thank you, Umo Eno, for working so hard for the love of your people,” Tinubu said.
The President also announced the approval of Governor Eno’s request to upgrade Victor Attah International Airport to full international airport status.
Similarly, he gave his approval to the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, describing the project as an important economic investment capable of attracting businesses, creating employment and expanding commercial activities.
Responding to the governor’s request for international airport status, Tinubu said: “I didn’t look round. I approved it.”
The announcements attracted loud applause from supporters at the stadium.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the proposed seaport would create new economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region.
He also identified agriculture, particularly oil palm cultivation and processing, as an area where the state could unlock significant economic potential.
According to him, investments in agriculture, education, skills development and infrastructure would help create jobs and improve living standards.
Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Collect PVCs, Promises Jobs
The President urged young Nigerians, particularly residents of Akwa Ibom, to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 general election.
He described the PVC as an important instrument through which citizens could determine their political future.
“The weapon you have is the PVC. If you have not collected, please go ahead and collect your PVC. I’m begging you, for the sake of your future,” he said.
Tinubu promised that his administration would continue investing in education, infrastructure, skills acquisition and employment opportunities.
He said the next phase of his government would focus on expanding opportunities for young people and strengthening the economy through diversification.
The President also pledged to tackle poverty, ignorance and economic stagnation through sustained development programmes.
“We will break the shackles of poverty, ignorance and economic regression. We will definitely break them,” he assured the crowd.
Recalling his professional connection with Akwa Ibom, Tinubu described his visit as a homecoming.
He said his relationship with the state dated back to his early career as an accountant, when he worked with Mobil after returning from the United States.
According to him, one of his assignments involved auditing the company’s operations in Eket, including travelling by boat to offshore facilities.
“Coming to Akwa Ibom is like homecoming for me,” he said.
Tinubu also expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the rally, describing the reception as evidence of the people’s confidence in his leadership.
Shettima Challenges Atiku Over Political Legacy
Vice President Kashim Shettima also criticised Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi during the rally, questioning their political records and claims to leadership experience.
In his remarks, Shettima argued that the Nigerian presidency should not be treated as a retirement benefit for politicians who have spent several years pursuing political power.
“The presidency, Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, is not a retirement benefit for long years in politics. It is a responsibility that must be earned through ideas, competence, organisation, public confidence and demonstrable results,” he said.
Shettima challenged Atiku to identify prominent political figures, including governors and deputy governors, whom he had nurtured and who remained committed to his political philosophy.
He mentioned former Adamawa governors Boni Haruna, Murtala Nyako, Bala Ngilari and Bindow Jibrilla, as well as the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
The Vice President argued that none of the governors was currently aligned with Atiku’s presidential ambition.
He maintained that political experience should be measured by achievements, institutions established and leaders developed rather than the number of years spent in public office.
Turning to Obi, Shettima accused the former Anambra governor of making misleading statements and using exaggerated statistics.
He also claimed that Obi had lost much of the goodwill he previously enjoyed among Nigerians.
Shettima said voters should assess political candidates based on verifiable records and their ability to deliver results.
APC Leaders Insist Tinubu Can Win Without Rigging
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s chances of securing another presidential mandate.
Both politicians maintained that the ruling party had sufficient support across the country to win the 2027 election without manipulating the electoral process.
Yilwatda attributed the party’s confidence to its growing membership, political structure and the administration’s economic and infrastructure programmes.
“We don’t need to rig. We don’t need to add one vote to Mr President. He can win. He can win squarely,” he declared.
Yari similarly argued that Nigerians who had benefited from government policies and development programmes would support the President through their votes.
He said the APC intended to rely on genuine electoral support rather than election manipulation.
All Six South-South Governors Back Tinubu, Diri Says
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri announced that all six governors in the South-South geopolitical zone were supporting Tinubu’s re-election ambition.
Diri, who spoke on behalf of the South-South Governors’ Forum, praised the President for infrastructure projects in the region, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He described the project as a significant intervention that demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the infrastructure challenges of the Niger Delta.
The six governors are Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Bassey Otu of Cross River.
Diri said the governors had previously expressed their support for Tinubu at political gatherings in Asaba and Benin City.
“Mr President, on behalf of the governors of the South-South zone, we say carry go,” he declared.
Soludo Adopts Tinubu as APGA’s Preferred Presidential Candidate
Meanwhile, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has announced that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Soludo made the announcement during the party’s election flag-off rally at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.
He said APGA would not present a presidential candidate for the election and would instead adopt Tinubu as its preferred candidate.
“Today, we adopt the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as our candidate,” Soludo declared.
The governor said Tinubu had demonstrated concern for the Igbo people, particularly through projects and development interventions in Anambra State and other parts of the South-East.
He urged APGA members to mobilise support for the President, setting a target of securing at least 50 per cent of the votes in Anambra State.
Soludo added that the party’s decision was consistent with its previous political arrangements of supporting presidential candidates from other parties.
Wike Expects 70,000 Supporters at Tinubu’s Rivers Rally
In Rivers State, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said more than 70,000 residents were expected to welcome Tinubu during the APC presidential rally in Port Harcourt.
The rally is scheduled to hold at the 40,000-capacity Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Iguruta.
Wike made the disclosure after inspecting preparations at the venue, expressing satisfaction with the decorations, organisation and security arrangements.
He described Tinubu’s visit as significant, noting that it would be the President’s first official visit to Rivers State since assuming office.
According to the minister, the expected turnout would exceed the stadium’s seating capacity, demonstrating the level of mobilisation ahead of the event.
“We have already made up our minds what to do. We are all for the President,” Wike said.
To further demonstrate support for the President, the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition organised a roadshow across major roads in Port Harcourt and surrounding communities.
More than 80 campaign buses representing political structures across the state’s 23 local government areas participated in the mobilisation exercise.
With political activities gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, the APC leadership and its allies have continued to intensify efforts to secure support across different regions of the country.
