The South West Zonal Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its weight behind the reelection of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
The leaders also unveiled plans to recruit canvassers in every ward across the zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rising from their meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Wednesday, the APC leaders said the mobilisation strategy would ensure that the President’s socioeconomic policies and programmes were communicated directly to the grassroots.
Addressing journalists after the committee’s meeting, APC South West Zonal Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, said, “Our goal is that the South-West must do for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu electorally what the North-West consistently did for the late President Muhammadu Buhari.”
According to Kekemeke, the Zonal Executive Committee of the APC, comprising six chairmen of the party in the zone and National Executive Council (NEC) members of the party in the zone deliberated extensively on the state of the party in the zone.
He said the party has also set up a committee to work with the coordinating governor of the party in the zone, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and other governors to organise a rally, assembly, or congress of the zone at the end of September.
According to him, “We cannot wait because we believe that as the zone of the President, we must lead the crusade for his re-election.”
The zonal executives appraised President Tinubu’s performance and concluded that he had “done very well for the people,” based on the verdict of international organisations, global financial institutions, and economic experts.
“They are beginning to feel the results of the bold initiatives and socio-economic transformation happening in Nigeria. Prices of goods are beginning to stabilise and decrease, foreign exchange rates are coming down, debts are being paid, and Nigeria is becoming internationally respectable.”
Kekemeke added that Nigeria under Tinubu’s leadership has refused to become a dumping ground for refugees from some Americans. “So, Nigeria has gained international respect both politically and economically, and we think all of this must be consolidated.”
While acknowledging that the reforms have caused temporary hardship, Kekemeke insisted that they would soon lead to prosperity and peace.
“We believe that in the not-too-distant future, these pains will give way to prosperity and peace in our country,” he said.
On the emerging coalition of opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 elections, Kekemeke said while such alliances were part of democracy, they could not match Tinubu’s popularity or track record.
“I think this coalition is good for our country because a viable opposition is one of the requirements of a standard democracy. So, it’s good that they have come together.
“But this coalition of politicians cannot win against the coalition of Nigeria and the coalition of people who know that President Tinubu is doing the best for our country at this time,” he said.
Kekemeke added that coalition members had failed repeatedly when given past opportunities, noting that “They are not people who have not been given a first chance, failed; a second chance, failed; and a third chance, failed. They are a committee of people who have failed in the past and very recently.”
He said, “They have not been able to accredit themselves credibly in the areas they were asked to work. They have nothing to show.”
He stressed however that “it is good that they are adding to the beauty of democracy by trying and pretending to be a viable opposition.”
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