Yari Challenges South West, Claims North Will Vote Massively For Tinubu

Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, has challenged the south West region, stating that despite former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's candidacy in the 2027 presidential election, the northern part of Nigeria will vote massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Yari made this statement during the inauguration of the electioneering campaign in Ekiti State.

Yari expressed confidence in the government's robust performance, highlighting achievements recorded so far, and the requests made in 2022. He reminded the people that President Tinubu has done his best for Ekiti, introducing schools up to the university level, improving roads, education support for youths, and women empowerment. With the election just 80 days away, Yari boasted that the North is ready for Tinubu's re-election.

According to Yari, Tinubu is more popular in northern Nigeria than in the south West states like Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, and Lagos. He claimed that Tinubu supported northern children, making them number one citizens in the country. Yari revealed that the party aims to secure about 90 per cent of the votes in Ekiti State, recalling that Ekiti voters gave Tinubu about 80 per cent support in the 2023 presidential election.

Yari challenged the people to surpass their previous voting record, noting that out of approximately 1.08 million registered voters in Ekiti State, more than 900,000 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards. He requested 800,000 votes in Ekiti State, representing about 90 per cent. Yari also commended opposition party leaders for joining the APC campaign to demonstrate solidarity with Governor Biodun Oyebanji and support for Tinubu's re-election.

The Ekiti rally was notable for its organisation, with proper demarcation of the rally ground, clear spaces for party leaders, government officials, and the media, and visible but non-intimidating security agencies. The programme ran in an orderly sequence, and crowd control was firm but civil. The rally proved that a mega rally can be both energetic and disciplined, sending a stronger democratic signal than a rally that ends with violence.

Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the rally, reminding Ekiti people that they were the first state to declare their presidential result in 2023, giving Tinubu 201,495 votes and winning all 16 local governments, Senate seats, and House of Representatives seats. He listed federal road interventions and new projects, stating that the votes of 2023 produced visible dividends and appealing for 90 to 95 per cent votes on January 16, 2027.

National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, presented the candidates, highlighting Tinubu's reforms, such as exempting small traders from tax and opening university doors to children of the poor through NELFUND. The rally was a narrative of gratitude, visible performance, and an appeal for a greater tomorrow under President Tinubu.

Key points

• Yari claims northern Nigeria will vote massively for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite Atiku Abubakar's candidacy.