2027: Shettima Rallies Cross River Voters for Tinubu

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying that although painful, they are beginning to yield positive results.

Shettima spoke on Monday at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

He acknowledged the hardship caused by the reforms but said transformation required tough decisions, likening Tinubu’s leadership style to that of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who turned a struggling colony into a global financial hub.

He said, “President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms is something we have seen, though painful, you can agree with me that they are beginning to yield positive results.

“Therefore, I urge Nigerians to judge the administration based on where the country was in 2023 when Tinubu took over and now.”

Shettima called on the people of Cross River State to renew the APC’s mandate in the 2027 elections, adding that the state was politically strategic to the party and deserved greater federal presence.

He urged voters to support President Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu, Deputy Governor Peter Odey and all APC candidates in 2027.

In his remarks, Otu said major federal projects would transform Cross River State’s economy, listing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the proposed siting of the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar.

Otu said the coastal highway would boost connectivity, trade, tourism and investment, while the deep seaport would position Cross River as an international maritime gateway and create jobs.

He said the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat would drive international engagements and boost hospitality and commercial activities in the state.

Otu also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as part of federal interventions easing access to tertiary education.

He said Cross River must convert its political relevance into tangible development gains by supporting the APC at all levels.

The rally was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, APC governors, party leaders and supporters.