Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged APC supporters to reject violence and embrace issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 elections, assuring Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development and economic reforms.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has urged supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shun violence and embrace issue-based politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shettima made the appeal on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during the APC presidential campaign rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where he called on party supporters to demonstrate political maturity and peaceful conduct throughout the electioneering period.
“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.
The Vice-President thanked the people of Nasarawa State for their support for the APC since 2023 and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the state’s development priorities.
He highlighted the proposed Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway as a major component of the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure development agenda, saying it 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, reflects the administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and improving national economic integration.
Shettima said the projects were designed to connect producers with markets, ease transportation across regions, generate employment and reduce the costs of doing business for traders and households.
“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.
He explained that improved road connectivity would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, minerals and manufactured goods, thereby supporting economic activities across the country.
The Vice-President also defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, saying they were necessary to address fiscal pressures, infrastructure gaps and declining investor confidence inherited by the administration.
He maintained that the country’s economic situation was improving, citing increased revenue generation and higher allocations to state and local governments as outcomes of the reforms.
“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.
Shettima said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was focused on strengthening public finances, boosting revenue generation and encouraging domestic production.
On education, he highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that students from Nasarawa State could access financial support to pursue 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 the Tinubu administration’s record to Nigerians.
Abbas described the President’s first term as unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history and urged Nasarawa residents to support the administration for another four years to enable it to complete ongoing projects.
Similarly, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, appealed to voters in Nasarawa State and the North-Central region to support Tinubu, Senator Ahmed Wadada and other party candidates in the 2027 elections.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, described Tinubu as the architect of modern Nigeria and called on residents to vote for the President, Wadada and other APC candidates.
The APC governorship candidate in Nasarawa, Wadada, also defended the Federal Government’s economic reforms, arguing that dismissing the administration’s achievements since May 2023 would amount to overlooking its progress.
He cited ongoing infrastructure projects and growth in the capital market as evidence of economic recovery.
Earlier in the day, Shettima visited the palace of the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd.), where he conveyed President Tinubu’s greetings to the traditional ruler.
The Vice-President described Nasarawa as a reflection of Nigeria’s diversity, noting that people from different ethnic backgrounds had made the state their common home.
He commended the Emir for his efforts in promoting peace and described him as a leader devoted to the administration of justice.
In his response, Bage wished President 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 the electorate, 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, praising his contributions to nation-building and partnership with President Tinubu in advancing national unity and development.
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