THUR OCT 15 2026-theGBJournal| Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has challenged leaders of his All Progressives Congress (APC) to deliver votes in the 2027 presidential election, warning that their previous electoral victories will count for little without another win.
Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, President Tinubu urged members to demonstrate unity, discipline and commitment as they prepare for the election.
“No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment until you deliver the next election,” he said, telling party leaders to secure votes in their respective wards.
The inauguration signals the ruling party’s preparations for another presidential contest, as President Tinubu seeks to build support for his administration’s second-term bid.
But the president also faces the challenge of balancing political mobilisation with the demands of governing Africa’s most populous country.
The chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, had advised President Tinubu not to allow the rigours of campaigning to distract him from his responsibilities as president.
President Tinubu acknowledged the advice but said he would continue to engage directly with Nigerians while the campaign council mobilised support across 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,” he said.
His remarks highlighted the administration’s focus on meeting financial obligations and attracting investment even as the party prepares for the election.
The president urged campaign council members to communicate the policies and programmes of his Renewed Hope Agenda and engage Nigerians responsibly.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who also spoke at the event, praised President Tinubu’s democratic credentials but criticised opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Vice President Shettima defended the president’s standing as head of state, saying the office should be respected regardless of personal disagreements.
He also accused Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, of using misleading statistics and making comparisons between Nigeria and other countries without sufficient context.
The remarks suggest that criticism of opposition figures may feature in the ruling party’s campaign messaging ahead of the 2027 election.
However, the APC’s electoral prospects will depend not only on its ability to mobilise party supporters but also on how voters assess the administration’s record and its impact on their lives.
Key takeaways from the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council
1. APC shifts focus to 2027
President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the APC Presidential Campaign Council and urged party leaders to secure votes in their respective wards.
Tinubu’s warning that previous victories count for little without another win makes electoral performance the central message of the event.
2. Tinubu demands electoral results
The President told party leaders that nobody would receive credit for an incomplete assignment until they delivered electoral victories.
3. Governance must continue alongside campaigning
Governor Hope Uzodimma advised Tinubu not to allow campaign activities to distract him from governing. The President acknowledged the advice but said he would continue engaging Nigerians directly.
This highlights the challenge facing an incumbent seeking re-election: persuading voters to support another term while remaining accountable for the country’s current condition.
4. Economic concerns remain central
Tinubu referred to financial obligations to American creditors and the need to attract investors.
The remarks connect the campaign to the administration’s economic priorities. They also raise questions about how economic policies and their effects on households and businesses will influence voters’ decisions.
5. The APC wants to sell its policy record
Tinubu urged campaign council members to communicate the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and engage Nigerians responsibly.
The party is preparing to make the administration’s policies and achievements central to its re-election message.
Whether that message resonates will depend partly on how Nigerians assess the administration’s performance.
6. Opposition criticism enters the campaign narrative
Vice-President Kashim Shettima criticised opposition figures Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, questioning aspects of their political arguments and economic comparisons.
The remarks introduce a confrontational element into the campaign narrative. The criticisms should remain attributed to Shettima, while claims about Nigeria’s economic performance should be independently assessed.
7. Tinubu invokes his Lagos record
The President praised Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, while referring to efforts to address Atlantic Ocean encroachment.
The reference draws on Tinubu’s experience as a former Lagos governor to reinforce his leadership narrative.
However, it is secondary to the more immediate questions of electoral mobilisation and governance.
What matters most?
Three themes stand out from the event.
First, electoral mobilisation. Tinubu wants APC leaders to demonstrate their political value by delivering votes in 2027.
His warning about incomplete assignments is the clearest expression of that expectation.
Second, the demands of governance. The President must prepare his party for another election while continuing to address the country’s economic and other challenges.
His reference to creditors and investors reinforces the point that political campaigning will take place alongside pressing national responsibilities.
Third, the battle over performance and credibility. The APC intends to promote the administration’s record and challenge opposition arguments.
Ultimately, however, the effectiveness of its campaign will depend on how voters judge the government’s performance.
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