President Bola Tinubu has challenged the electorate in Ondo State to deliver a minimum of 1.2 million votes in support of his re-election bid during the upcoming January 16, 2027 presidential contest. The Nigerian leader communicated this directive on Wednesday during the ruling All Progressives Congress presidential campaign rally held in the state capital, Akure.
Represented at the event by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president stressed that he anticipates no fewer than 1.2 million ballots from the state out of its pool of registered voters. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, approximately 1.8 million individuals have successfully collected their Permanent Voter Cards in the region, leaving roughly 200,000 uncollected credentials ahead of the voting exercise.
"It is our expectation that Ondo should be able to deliver 1.2 million votes out of the 1.8 million PVCs collected so far," the vice president conveyed on behalf of the Nigerian leader.
What did the president say about his political rivals?
During the Akure gathering, the administration directed sharp criticism toward prominent opposition figures, questioning their capability and unity. The president argued that adversaries such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi lacked the consensus and institutional backing required to steer the federation effectively.
"Looking at the rally today in Ondo, it is shut down. Our political opponents are conducting rallies on Instagram and Facebook," the administration remarked, contrasting physical turnout with virtual engagement.
The president specifically claimed that Atiku Abubakar, originating from Adamawa State, lacks strong alignment with key figures in his home base, while similarly asserting that Peter Obi does not enjoy backing from past and present governors in Anambra State. Dismissing the credentials of his challengers, the president added that the ability to import commodities does not equate to effective statecraft, insisting that the country has progressed under the current governance structure.
How did state leaders respond to the electoral target?
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa offered a welcoming address, assuring the national leadership that the state would secure at least one million votes for the presidential ticket. He credited federal reforms for tangible developmental strides within the state, highlighting appointments to ministerial posts and agency leadership roles.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the campaign organization, Abdullaziz Yari, argued that given federal interventions in the region, the president warranted an even higher tally. Party stakeholders, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodima and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, underscored the importance of grassroots mobilization, resolving internal party rifts, and encouraging citizens to claim their voter cards to ensure electoral success.