President Bola Tinubu has questioned the political relevance and leadership capacity of his opponents in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that none possesses the credentials to match his record.

Tinubu, who said his administration had delivered on some of its 2023 campaign promises, described his re-election bid as an opportunity to consolidate its achievements and pursue further development.

The President, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, spoke on Thursday at the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council rally held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado Ekiti.

He appealed to voters in Ekiti State to give him at least 90 per cent of the votes in the forthcoming election, saying his administration had fulfilled some of its promises to the state through federal appointments and infrastructure projects.

Taking a swipe at his opponents, particularly African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Tinubu cited the political alignment of former governors in Adamawa State, arguing that Atiku had failed to secure the support of influential political figures from his home state.

He questioned how the former vice-president could attract support in other states if he could not command political influence in Adamawa.

The President also praised Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for bringing former political opponents together following the June 20 governorship election, describing the development as a demonstration of political unity ahead of 2027.

Highlighting his administration’s projects in Ekiti, Tinubu said the Federal Government had completed the Ado-Ikere-Akure road and awarded contracts for the reconstruction of the Ado-Ijan-Iluomoba-Ikole road and Ado-Aramoko-Itawure road.

He also cited the establishment of a federal university at Iyin Ekiti and the student loan scheme, which he said had benefited students of Ekiti State University and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology.

The President said another term would provide an opportunity to do more and make Nigeria a great nation.

In his remarks, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Ekiti residents and Nigerians to support Tinubu and other party candidates, describing the President as a performer and reformer committed to national development.

Yilwatda highlighted the administration’s tax reforms, saying the framework was designed to protect low-income earners and small businesses from excessive tax burdens.

He also praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund for expanding access to higher education and preventing financial constraints from denying qualified students the opportunity to pursue their studies.

The APC chairman further cited federal road projects in Ekiti as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving transportation and economic activities.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, appealed to Ekiti voters to deliver at least 800,000 votes for Tinubu, describing the target as approximately 90 per cent of the votes cast.

Yari said the President deserved another term, citing what he described as progress in reducing food inflation, infrastructure development, education and women’s empowerment.

He recalled that Ekiti gave Tinubu about 80 per cent of its votes in the 2023 presidential election and urged residents to increase the figure in 2027.

Yari also pointed to the support of former opposition candidates and political leaders for Oyebanji as evidence of growing unity behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Governor Oyebanji, who led former opposition figures, including the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede, to the rally, assured the President of overwhelming support from the state.

He said the APC secured 87.5 per cent of the votes in the last governorship election, describing the result as a reflection of Tinubu’s support and the people’s confidence in the party.

Oyebanji added that former governors and major opposition figures in the state had united behind the President, promising to deliver 90 per cent of the votes in 2027.

He said completing the Ado-Ikere-Akure road, awarding contracts for other major roads and providing support for women and young people were among the reasons Ekiti residents should support Tinubu.

Dignitaries at the rally included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke; Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and former Ekiti governors Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose and Niyi Adebayo.

Others were Ekiti State Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, Speaker of the State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye, members of the National Assembly, ministers, commissioners and other party leaders.