President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2027 general election, urging party leaders and members to remain united, committed and focused on securing victory while sustaining the administration’s governance priorities.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, the President said the party must build on its previous electoral successes by demonstrating greater dedication and delivering votes across the country.
“As I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and spirit full of resolve, it is my honour to inaugurate the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 General Election,” PBAT said.
He stressed that previous contributions to the party would only be fully rewarded by success in the forthcoming election, urging members to take responsibility for delivering their respective electoral wards and securing votes for the APC.
The President expressed confidence in the campaign council, emphasising that unity, discipline and a shared sense of purpose would be critical to the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the election.
Tinubu also acknowledged the advice of the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who urged him to remain focused on governance and avoid allowing campaign activities to distract him from his presidential responsibilities.
He assured Nigerians that he would continue to engage directly with them even as the campaign council leads mobilisation efforts across states and local government areas.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait. We want those investors to come in and invest for the future of our children,” the President said.
Tinubu charged members of the council to conduct their activities responsibly, engage Nigerians constructively and communicate the policies and programmes of his administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Uzodimma, in his remarks, assured the President that governors and other party leaders would work to communicate the administration’s message effectively to Nigerians throughout the campaign.
The President also commended Vice President Kashim Shettima for his speech and what he described as his patriotic commitment to national development.
Tinubu further praised Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for their contributions to the achievements recorded during his tenure as governor of Lagos State, particularly efforts to address the threat posed by the Atlantic Ocean.
“There is a limit, but there is no limit in daring. We dared the Atlantic Ocean, and the result is the Atlantic City in Lagos,” he said.
Earlier, Vice President Shettima praised Tinubu’s courage and commitment to democratic development, citing his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition in 2007 under the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Shettima also defended the dignity of the presidential office, criticising comments he said diminished the stature of the institution.
“You can call him Bola, if you like, call him Adekunle, but he is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Vice President said.
He also criticised the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Movement, Peter Obi, over what he described as the use of misleading statistics and comparisons between Nigeria and other countries without adequate context.
The inauguration marks the formal commencement of the APC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party leadership expected to intensify nationwide mobilisation while the Tinubu administration continues to pursue its governance agenda.