By Julian Osamoto
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday formally submitted President Bola Tinubu’s expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 presidential election at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat in Abuja.
He declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has “proved his mettle” in managing Nigeria’s economic reforms and steering the country through difficult policy transitions.
The submission to the APC National Working Committee in Abuja, officially confirmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term. Party officials received the forms after James Faleke earlier purchased them on 28 April on behalf of the president and support groups.
Rebuild Long-term Confidence
Shettima told party leaders that the administration deliberately adopted tough economic decisions to stabilise the country and rebuild long-term confidence.
He said Tinubu has faced economic turbulence with courage and has continued to implement reforms despite political pressure and public hardship. “The storms of the past years have not diminished him; they have made a fine steel out of him,” Shettima said.
Investor Confidence
According to him, the administration prioritises economic stability, investor confidence, and long-term national recovery over short-term political comfort.
Shettima also said the president remains committed to steering Nigeria out of economic difficulties through what he described as necessary but painful reforms.
He noted that the submission follows weeks of internal consultations within the APC, where stakeholders across different regions expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
However, the bid enters a politically sensitive environment shaped by inflation, high cost of living, and public criticism of subsidy removal and currency reforms.
Exchange Stability
Despite the economic pressure, the presidency continues to point to foreign exchange stability and renewed investor interest as indicators of progress.
Shettima acknowledged public discomfort but insisted that leadership sometimes requires unpopular decisions.
He said, “The truth that sets men free is most often the truth that men prefer not to hear.”
The APC leadership received the nomination forms amid strong party mobilisation and growing political positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
