Otunba Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to look beyond current political controversies and give President Bola Tinubu’s administration more time, arguing that the country’s ongoing reforms should be assessed on their long-term outcomes.

Showunmi made the appeal in a statement published on his X account on Sunday, October 11, 2026, as political discussions ahead of the 2027 general election continue to gather attention.

He argued that the call for continuity was not based on Tinubu’s name or personality but on what he described as a broader national project aimed at rebuilding the country.

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“We have not asked you to support continuity because his name is Asiwaju @officialABAT. He could just as well have been named Peter Atiku Tinubu, and it would make no difference to our argument,” he said.

According to Showunmi, the central issue is whether Nigeria should be allowed to continue its current reform process rather than making political decisions based on personalities or sentiments.

“Our plea is simple: give Nigeria the opportunity to continue this journey of national rebirth. The process is underway. Its effects are beginning to emerge, and the ambition is for its benefits to reach every Nigerian, everywhere,” he stated.

He acknowledged that Nigerians were still experiencing economic difficulties but cautioned against interpreting the hardship as proof that the reform process had failed.

“There is still work to be done, and the hardship many people face must never be dismissed. But we must not confuse the pain of transition with the failure of the journey,” Showunmi said.

The PDP chieftain also challenged Nigerians to scrutinise the records and policy proposals of politicians seeking to replace Tinubu, urging voters to consider what they offered beyond campaign promises.

“What exactly are they proposing? How does it differ from what is being done? What did they do when they had the opportunity? And, most importantly, can their promises withstand the scrutiny of their own records?” he asked.

He maintained that decisions about the country’s leadership should be based on policies, records and measurable outcomes rather than political loyalty or resentment.

“Nigeria cannot afford to make consequential decisions on the strength of slogans, sentiments, personalities or political resentment. We must judge ideas by their substance, leadership by its record, and policies by their outcomes,” he said.

‘This Is Bigger Than Tinubu’

Showunmi stressed that his argument was not that the country had achieved perfection under the current administration but that its reform efforts deserved an honest assessment.

“The argument is not that everything is perfect today. The argument is that the work of rebuilding Nigeria must be judged honestly, and the journey must be given the opportunity to deliver its full promise,” he stated.

He urged Nigerians to place the national interest above political differences when assessing the country’s direction ahead of the next election.

“That is why we ask you to look again, think deeply, and consider the national interest above every other sentiment,” he added.

Concluding his appeal, Showunmi reiterated that the issue extended beyond Tinubu as an individual, describing it as a question of Nigeria’s future and the responsibilities owed to generations to come.

“This is bigger than Asiwaju. It is about Nigeria, the country we must rebuild for ourselves and the generations coming after us,” he said.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has cited infrastructure projects and key political appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration as reasons the North Central region should support his re-election bid in 2027.

Yilwatda made the remarks on Saturday at the North Central Grand Endorsement Rally for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

He declared that the region would reward Tinubu with massive votes in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the president had done more for the North Central region than previous Nigerian leaders.

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“Mr President has done what no president has done for North-Central. Who will stand with him? Who will work with him? Who will vote for him?” Yilwatda asked supporters at the rally.

Yilwatda Highlights Road Projects Across North Central

Speaking partly in Hausa, the APC chairman highlighted road construction and other infrastructure projects as evidence of Tinubu’s contributions to the region.

He referenced several road projects connecting communities across parts of Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory, mentioning routes linking locations such as Akwanga, Lafia, Jos and Keffi.

According to Yilwatda, the projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to improving road connectivity across the region.

He insisted that the scale of the developments represented a significant change for the North Central region.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for North-Central what people should come and see,” he said, according to the English rendering of his remarks in the supplied transcript.

Yilwatda urged residents to recognise the administration’s infrastructure investments and support the president in the forthcoming elections.

Cites Akume’s Appointment, APC Leadership Position

Beyond infrastructure, Yilwatda pointed to political appointments as another reason the region should support Tinubu.

He specifically mentioned Senator George Akume’s appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), describing it as an example of the region’s representation in the federal government.

The APC chairman also referenced his own emergence as the national chairman of the ruling party, arguing that the administration had provided opportunities for people from the North Central region to occupy prominent positions.

He maintained that the appointments demonstrated the region’s inclusion in the administration and the ruling party’s leadership structure.

APC Chairman Seeks Support at All Levels
Yilwatda called on APC members and supporters across the North Central region to unite behind Tinubu and work towards electoral victories for the party at all levels in 2027.

Reiterating his confidence in the region’s support for the president, he urged party members to mobilise voters ahead of the elections.

“North-Central stand with Mr President. North-Central appreciate Mr President,” he said.

He added that the region would support the APC from the presidential level down to other elective positions.

Yilwatda also thanked party leaders, stakeholders and supporters who attended the rally, expressing appreciation for their participation in the party’s mobilisation efforts.

The rally in Lafia brought together APC leaders and supporters to endorse Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general elections.

With the 100-day countdown to Nigeria’s 2027 general election, there are signals that the poll might be marred by voter-apathy.

With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) kicking off the display of the National Register of Voters (NRV) and the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) last Friday, indications from various states show low voter turnout at the Ward/Registration Area levels.

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The INEC, however, attributed the low turnout to the exercise being in its opening day and expressed optimism that there would be an improvement with time.

While the exercise began smoothly and peacefully in many states, eligible voters in Umuahia, Abia State, expressed anger and disappointment over their inability to collect their PVCs following the absence of INEC officials at some designated collection centres.

The exercise followed an announcement by the Commission that PVCs are now ready for collection.

The INEC in inviting the public to the exercise declared, “Registered in 2025? Your PVC is now ready for collection. The cards are available for fresh registrants, transfers, replacements, and those who carried out information updates or reviews in 2025. Voters from previous registration exercises can also collect theirs.

“If you registered, requested a transfer, or applied for a replacement of a lost or damaged PVC during the first phase, your PVC will be available for collection.”

It added that “Uncollected PVCs from previous voter registration exercises will also be available.”

Collection at the Registration Areas (RAs) runs from Friday, October 9, to Thursday, October 15, 2026, between the hours of 9am to 3pm. From Friday, October 16, 2026, it moved to the Local Government Areas LGAs.

In the same period, the Commission said, “From Friday, 9th to Thursday, 15th October 2026, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC will display the National Register of Voters for public scrutiny at all Registration Areas nationwide.”