Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria’s economy has been fixed, insisting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has overcome the difficult phase of its economic reforms.

Shettima made the declaration on Wednesday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where he appealed to Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.

According to the Vice President, the administration inherited an economy burdened by fiscal challenges, infrastructure deficits and weakened investor confidence, necessitating difficult but unavoidable reforms.

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“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 maintained that the government’s economic reforms had strengthened public finances, improved revenue generation and restored investor confidence, while providing additional resources for state governments to pursue development projects.

He said the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to encourage domestic production, improve economic opportunities and address structural challenges affecting the country.

The Vice President also defended the government’s infrastructure programme, highlighting major road projects, including the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

According to him, the projects will strengthen connections between agricultural and industrial production centres and markets, reduce transportation costs, facilitate trade and create employment opportunities.

Shettima noted that Nasarawa State stands to benefit from improved infrastructure and investments in its agricultural and mineral resources.

He also highlighted the Federal Government’s support for higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that students from the state have access to financing under the scheme.

The Vice President further recalled President Tinubu’s approval for the conversion of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology, describing it as an investment in the technical manpower required to develop Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

Acknowledging the economic difficulties experienced by Nigerians, Shettima said the government was conscious of the sacrifices associated with its reforms and remained committed to translating their gains into improved living conditions.

He urged Nigerians to give Tinubu another four-year mandate to complete the administration’s development programmes.

“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 stated.

Shettima also urged APC supporters to reject electoral violence and embrace peaceful political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has formally launched his 2027 presidential campaign in Sokoto State, promising to tackle insecurity, address hunger, restore hope to young Nigerians and make the country more affordable if elected president.

Atiku announced the commencement of his campaign in a statement on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to supporters for the rousing reception he received in Sokoto.

He described the state as a historic centre of faith, scholarship and leadership, saying he was honoured to begin his presidential campaign from the North-West state.

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“Nigerians are tired of hunger, fear, and broken promises. Today, they have a choice, a plan, and a leader ready to deliver,” he said.

The former vice president pledged to end insecurity across Nigerian communities, create renewed opportunities for young people and address the economic difficulties facing households.

“The journey to rescue Nigeria begins here. Together, we will win,” he added.

The campaign launch comes after days of controversy surrounding the ADC’s planned rally in Sokoto, which was initially scheduled for October 31 before being postponed to November 4.

The party had attributed the postponement to planning and coordination considerations, while also alleging that some hotel operators in the state were pressured to deny accommodation to delegates and supporters travelling for the event.

The Sokoto State Government, however, denied directing hotels to reject ADC members and delegates.

Tensions escalated further after the state government sealed an ADC campaign office over a dispute concerning ownership of the property, which officials said belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank.

On Tuesday, Atiku also accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of allegedly recruiting protesters to disrupt the campaign launch and create grounds for imposing a curfew in the state.

He alleged that the planned disruption was intended to frustrate the opposition party’s activities. The allegations have not been independently verified, while the APC rejected claims of involvement in efforts to disrupt the campaign.

Amid the controversy, the ADC initially kept the rally venue secret, citing security concerns.

However, the party later announced that the presidential campaign flag-off would take place at its state secretariat along Ilorin Road, Sokoto.

Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have arrived in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, for an engagement with Nigerians.

The two political leaders touched down in the state on Wednesday, November 4, amid heightened political activities and mobilisation by supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Their arrival was announced by their political camp, which described Calabar as the People’s Paradise, while inviting Nigerians to engage with the two leaders.

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The visit comes hours after police operatives intervened to prevent a possible confrontation between supporters of the Obi-Kwankwaso movement and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the city.

The incident occurred around a hotel along Murtala Mohammed Highway, close to the U.J. Esuene Stadium, where the NDC had scheduled a presidential town hall meeting featuring Obi and Kwankwaso.

According to reports, hundreds of supporters of the two political camps converged in the area as APC supporters, including members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), conducted a street rally and road walk towards the Governor’s Office.

Tension reportedly escalated when both groups met near the hotel, with some Obi-Kwankwaso supporters partially blocking the highway.

Security operatives subsequently separated the groups and diverted the APC supporters to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the command intervened through timely engagement with the groups.

He explained that officers appealed to both sides to exercise restraint, maintain peace and ensure their activities were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.

A police officer who spoke anonymously also described the intervention as necessary to prevent a possible violent confrontation.