Shettima, APC governors, others to storm Akure for presidential rally Wednesday
By Julius Alabi, Akure
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo state chapter has declared its readiness to deliver an even bigger electoral victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring that the state is determined to surpass its impressive performance in the 2023 presidential poll.
The declaration came from the Director-General of the State APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, ahead of Wednesday’s presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold at the Akure Township Stadium.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead an impressive delegation of APC governors, ministers, National Assembly members and other national party leaders.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Akure on Tuesday, Olabimtan described the rally as more than a political gathering, saying it would serve as a powerful demonstration of the party’s unity, organisational strength and determination to consolidate its electoral dominance ahead of 2027.
With the rally scheduled to commence at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, Olabimtan assured the Vice President and the national leadership of the party that Ondo was fully prepared to host what he described as a memorable political gathering.
He disclosed that the campaign council had activated its mobilisation machinery across all 18 local government areas, with party leaders, elected representatives, political appointees, ward coordinators, youth and women leaders already working to ensure an impressive turnout.
Olabimtan said “but beyond the expected crowd at the Akure rally, the APC in Ondo State is already looking beyond the immediate political spectacle and positioning itself for a decisive 2027 electoral contest.
“Our objective is to improve significantly on the outstanding performance recorded by the APC in Ondo State during the 2023 presidential election, when our party secured the highest winning margin percentage in the country,” he declared.
“We are proud of this achievement, but we are not resting on our oars. We are determined to surpass that record in the 2027 general elections.”
The campaign director-general, however, acknowledged that achieving the ambition would require more than political enthusiasm, stressing the need for discipline, strategic communication, grassroots mobilisation and unity among party stakeholders.
He urged APC leaders and members to put aside personal differences and individual ambitions, insisting that the collective interest of the party must take precedence over competing interests.
“Our guiding principle remains simple and clear: One party, one message, one campaign mobilisation,” he said.
In making the case for another electoral mandate for President Tinubu, Olabimtan highlighted what he described as the growing development opportunities available to Ondo State through the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He acknowledged that the administration’s economic reforms had brought temporary difficulties for citizens but argued that the measures were necessary to address longstanding structural challenges, strengthen public finances, encourage investment and reposition the Nigerian economy for sustainable growth.
He particularly pointed to Ondo State’s representation in the Federal Executive Council through three substantive ministers: Professor Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior; and Comrade Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, Minister of Youth Development.
According to him, the presence of three ministers from the state offers Ondo greater participation in national policymaking and provides additional opportunities to attract federal programmes and development initiatives.
On infrastructure, Olabimtan identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a major project capable of transforming the economic fortunes of Ondo’s coastal communities.
He said the highway would improve connectivity and stimulate commerce, tourism, agriculture and other productive activities.
He also expressed optimism over renewed attention to the proposed Olokola Deep Seaport, describing it as a project with enormous potential to unlock maritime and industrial opportunities, attract investment and create employment.
Other projects highlighted included the expansion and reconstruction of the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road and the dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Owo-Benin Road.
In the education and healthcare sectors, he identified the approval and commencement of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital as a significant milestone that would improve healthcare delivery, strengthen medical training and create employment opportunities.
He also cited the proposed Aviation College, student financing initiatives and federal social investment programmes as important opportunities for human capital development.
Olabimtan maintained that the partnership between the Federal Government and Ondo State must continue to produce tangible benefits, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture and employment generation.
The campaign council director-general reserved special commendation for Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, crediting his leadership with strengthening internal cohesion and consolidating the APC’s political structures across Ondo State.
He said the governor’s efforts to bring party members together, deepen grassroots engagement and sustain internal consultations had helped position the party for greater electoral success.
He also disclosed that ongoing ward meetings and preparations for local government and senatorial meetings formed part of a broader strategy to strengthen the party’s grassroots machinery.
Olabimtan assured the governor and the APC family that the campaign council would continue to work closely with party leaders and stakeholders to achieve their common political objective.
While inviting residents, youths, women, professionals, traders, artisans, community leaders and other interest groups to attend Wednesday’s rally, Olabimtan emphasised that the event would mark the beginning of a sustained political mobilisation effort rather than its conclusion.
He said the campaign council would return to communities across the state to consolidate its structures, engage voters and communicate the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration.
He also appealed to participants to maintain peace, demonstrate political maturity and respect democratic values throughout the event.
“Ondo State is ready. The APC is united. Our mobilisation is in full gear. And our commitment to delivering victory in 2027 remains unwavering,” Olabimtan declared.
