Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged voters in Cross River State to support President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections, defending the administration’s economic reforms despite the hardship they have caused Nigerians.

Shettima spoke on Monday at the APC presidential campaign rally held at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

He acknowledged that the reforms had brought economic difficulties but maintained that they were beginning to produce positive results, insisting that difficult decisions were necessary to transform the country.

The Vice-President compared Tinubu’s leadership approach to that of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who led the transformation of the country from a struggling colony into a major global financial hub.

“President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms is something we have seen, though painful, you can agree with me that they are beginning to yield positive results,” Shettima said.

He urged Nigerians to assess the administration’s performance by comparing the country’s economic situation in 2023, when Tinubu assumed office, with its present condition.

Shettima also described Cross River as politically strategic to the APC, calling on residents to renew the party’s mandate in 2027.

He urged voters to support Tinubu, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, Deputy Governor Peter Odey and other APC candidates, while promising that the state deserved greater federal attention.

In his remarks, Governor Otu highlighted ongoing and proposed federal infrastructure projects, which he said would expand the state’s economic opportunities.

Among the projects he listed were the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport and the proposed location of the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar.

According to Otu, the coastal highway would improve connectivity, facilitate trade, promote tourism and attract investment to the state.

He added that the proposed deep seaport would position Cross River as an international maritime gateway, creating employment opportunities and stimulating economic activities.

The governor also said the proposed Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat would strengthen international engagements and boost hospitality and commercial activities in the state.

Otu further cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as one of the Federal Government’s interventions aimed at improving access to tertiary education.

He maintained that Cross River must translate its political relevance into tangible development benefits by supporting the APC across all levels of government.

The rally attracted Senate President Godswill Akpabio, members of the National Assembly, APC governors, party leaders and supporters from different parts of the state.

The Kano State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of three local government chairmen by another three months to allow further investigation into allegations levelled against them.

The affected council chairmen are those of Rogo, Bagwai and Bebeji Local Government Areas.

The House also extended the mandate of the ad hoc committee investigating the allegations against the three officials by the same period.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Kamaluddeen Shawai, and made available to PUNCH Online.

According to the statement, the Assembly had initially granted the ad hoc committee three months to investigate the allegations and submit its findings to the House.

However, following the expiration of the initial period, lawmakers approved an additional three months for both the suspension of the chairmen and the committee’s investigation.

“With the expiration of the initial period, the House has now extended both the suspension of the chairmen and the mandate of the committee by another three months, to enable the.

committee to further examine the petitions, conclude its investigation, and submit its report to the House within the next three months,” the statement said.

The affected officials are Bello Abdullahi Gadanya, Chairman of Bagwai Local Government Area; Dr Alhassan Salisu, Chairman of Bebeji Local Government Area; and Abubakar Mustapha, Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area.

The extension means the three chairmen will remain suspended while the committee continues its investigation and prepares its report for consideration by the Assembly.
The House is expected to consider the committee’s findings upon completion of the extended investigation.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s development, declaring that his determination to build a prosperous nation has become stronger following his recent spiritual journey to Saudi Arabia.

The President said he sought divine wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians, expressing confidence that his prayers had been answered.

According to a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu made the remarks while reflecting on his lesser Hajj (Umrah) pilgrimage, during which he was granted the rare privilege of entering the Holy Ka’abah in Makkah to offer prayers.

The President expressed gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his Nigerian delegation access to the sacred site.

Describing the experience as historic and deeply meaningful, Tinubu said it demonstrated the longstanding friendship, mutual respect and cooperation between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

He also expressed appreciation for the hospitality and recognition extended to him by the Saudi authorities.

“I want to say a big thank you for the faith, for the recognition. I can’t believe the fencing of the Ka’abah is in Green-White-Green, which reminds us of the Nigerian identity,” he said.

Tinubu described the opportunity to pray inside the Ka’abah as a rare spiritual privilege, adding that it was an experience he would always cherish.

“It is an honour that I enjoyed, and it is gracious of them to have allowed me to enter inside the Ka’abah. This is history,” he stated.

Reflecting on his prayers during the pilgrimage, the President said he asked Almighty Allah for wisdom and resilience to continue leading the country.

“Well, I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” he said.

He recalled undertaking a similar Umrah pilgrimage before the 2023 presidential election, during which he prayed for Allah’s blessings and promised to return in gratitude if his prayers were answered.

The President also referenced Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26 of the Holy Qur’an, which highlights Almighty Allah’s ultimate authority over sovereignty and the power to grant and withdraw political authority.

According to Tinubu, political power should be treated as a divine trust that requires humility, responsibility and commitment to the welfare of the people.

He stressed that leadership was a privilege granted by Almighty Allah and should be exercised in accordance with divine guidance.

“There is no other God but Almighty Allah. He is the giver and the taker. He owns power and authority. He says, ‘If I give you, use it well.

If you don’t use it in accordance with my dictates, I can take it from you and give it to another person. I am the only One who has that authority,” he said.

Tinubu described his emergence as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief as a special blessing, noting that the position carried enormous responsibility to serve the country.

He said his administration remained committed to pursuing policies and programmes that would promote national prosperity, strengthen the economy and improve the lives of Nigerians.

“My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people,” the President declared.

He urged Nigerians to put Almighty Allah first, follow their conscience and remain committed to the right path towards national development.

On the economy, Tinubu expressed optimism about the country’s outlook, describing the foundation laid by his administration as solid and the progress recorded as encouraging.

“The foundation is solid, and the economy has come out of the dark tunnel. This is inspiring,” he said.

The President also emphasised the need to invest in young Nigerians, warning that decisions taken by current leaders would determine how future generations remember their contributions to the country.

“We need to build a future for our youth. If we don’t invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now? That’s the main thing,” he added.

He reiterated that his administration would continue to prioritise economic strengthening, youth development and the creation of opportunities that would enable Nigerians to realise their potential.

Also expressing gratitude for the spiritual experience were the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and the governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara States.

Other members of the Nigerian delegation included business leaders such as the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and the Chief Executive Officer of Oando, Wale Tinubu.

They reportedly expressed appreciation to Almighty Allah and the President for the opportunity to enter the Holy Ka’abah and offer prayers.