Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters to reject violence and embrace issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday at the APC presidential campaign rally in Lafia.
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“I trust you to resist any temptation to yield to violence and prove to all detractors that ours is a politics based on issues,” he said.
He thanked the people of Nasarawa State for supporting the APC since 2023 and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the state’s development priorities.
Shettima highlighted the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway as a major component of the administration’s infrastructure development agenda.
He said the project would strengthen economic connections between the North-Central and North-Eastern regions.
According to him, the project, alongside the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, demonstrates the administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit.
He said the projects would promote national economic integration by improving connectivity between producers and markets.
“We have promised to connect producers and markets. We have promised to ease movement across regions.
“We have promised to generate employment. We have promised to diminish costs that burden traders and families.
“This is what we are doing, and we have come to ask for your support for another term to complete this mission,” he said.
Shettima explained that improved road connectivity would facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce, minerals and manufactured goods.
He said the infrastructure programme was complemented by economic reforms aimed at strengthening public finances and improving investor confidence.
“We inherited an economy burdened by fiscal pressure. We inherited a country with an infrastructure deficit.
“We inherited a country with weakened investor confidence and structural defects. These problems demanded decisions that no responsible government could postpone.
“But I come to you to assure you that the worst days are over. We have already fixed our economy,” he said.
The Vice-President maintained that the administration’s fiscal reforms had improved revenue generation and increased allocations to subnational governments.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu was designed to protect public finances, boost revenue and encourage domestic production.
On education, Shettima highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying students from Nasarawa had access to financing for higher education.
He said the administration was seeking another mandate to complete its ongoing development programmes and account for its stewardship.
Earlier, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the APC for presenting Tinubu’s performance record to Nigerians.
Abbas described Tinubu’s first term as unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history.
He urged Nasarawa residents to support the administration, arguing that several ongoing projects required another four years for completion.
Similarly, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urged voters in Nasarawa and the North-Central to support Tinubu, Sen. Ahmed Wadada and other party candidates in 2027.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, described Tinubu as the architect of modern Nigeria.
Uzodimma also appealed to Nigerians, particularly Nasarawa State residents, to vote for Tinubu, Wadada and other APC candidates.
The APC governorship candidate in Nasarawa, Wadada, defended the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms.
He said only “an open enemy” would dismiss the Federal Government’s achievements since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
Wadada cited ongoing infrastructure projects and growth in the capital market as evidence of economic recovery.
Earlier, Shettima visited the palace of the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd.), where he conveyed Tinubu’s greetings to the traditional ruler.
He described Nasarawa as a reflection of Nigeria’s diversity, noting that different ethnic groups had made the state their common home.
Shettima praised the Emir for promoting peace and described him as a man devoted to the administration of justice.
Responding, Bage wished Tinubu success in the forthcoming elections, expressing confidence in Nigerians’ ability to choose their preferred leader.
The traditional ruler said the ultimate decision rested with voters, whom he trusted to recognise and reward leadership, competence and commitment to national development.
He also commended Shettima for his loyalty, steadfastness and dedication to public service.
The Emir praised the Vice-President’s contributions to nation-building and his continued partnership with Tinubu in promoting Nigeria’s unity and development. (NAN)
