YARI, SHETTIMA HEAD APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL TO AKURE

 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign train is set to move to Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, following the party's campaign rally in Dutse, Jigawa State, on Tuesday.

The ruling party is intensifying its nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, expected to lead the delegation to Ondo State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended Tuesday's rally in Dutse, but he is not expected to be physically present at the Akure event.

Shettima, Yari to Lead APC Delegation

The Ondo State chapter of the APC said Vice President Shettima would lead a high-powered delegation comprising party governors, federal ministers, National Assembly members, national party officials and other prominent political figures.

The state's campaign council Director-General, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, disclosed the arrangement during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Akure on Tuesday.

Olabimtan described the rally as an opportunity for residents of Ondo State to demonstrate their support for President Tinubu and his administration's Renewed Hope agenda.

He said the event would mark the beginning of sustained political mobilisation across the state, adding that the party was determined to organise one of the most successful presidential rallies in Ondo's history.

The rally is scheduled to take place at the Akure Township Stadium.

Why Tinubu May Not Attend the Rally

President Tinubu's possible absence from the Akure rally is consistent with his earlier explanation that he would not personally attend every campaign event because of his responsibilities as President.

At the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu reportedly explained that he would participate in selected rallies while allowing other senior party leaders to represent him at different locations.

The APC subsequently released a nationwide campaign timetable covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the published schedule, the next rallies include Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on November 18; Bauchi on November 29; Makurdi, Benue State, on November 30; and Katsina on December 2. Owerri, Imo State, is scheduled for December 30.

APC's Campaign Message in Jigawa

The Akure rally comes a day after President Tinubu led the APC campaign team to Dutse, Jigawa State, where he participated in a major political gathering and commissioned four projects.

The projects included the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, the state's agricultural mechanisation programme and a dualised road in Dutse.

Speaking during the rally, Senator Abdulaziz Yari expressed confidence in the President's re-election prospects, describing the 2027 contest as a potential walkover for the ruling party.

Yari also credited Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, with promising two million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Vice President Shettima, who also addressed the gathering, urged residents of the North to support Tinubu's second-term ambition.

He highlighted the Federal Government's commitment to development projects in the region, including an allocation of more than ₦50 billion for the Dutse Water Project.

Ondo APC Targets One Million Votes

Ondo State remains an important political stronghold for the APC in the South-West, with the party controlling the state government and local government structures.

The state chapter has announced its ambition to deliver one million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

According to Olabimtan, the party is planning an extensive grassroots mobilisation campaign across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State.

He also highlighted ongoing federal infrastructure projects, including the expansion and reconstruction of the Ore-Ondo-Akure road and the dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Owo-Benin road.

The APC leadership believes these projects will strengthen the party's appeal among voters ahead of the election.

However, opposition parties are expected to challenge the ruling party's record on issues such as the cost of living, economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity.

Security Tightened Ahead of Akure Rally

Security arrangements have reportedly been strengthened across parts of Ondo State ahead of the APC presidential campaign rally.

Residents are expected to experience increased security presence, traffic management and possible movement restrictions around the Akure Township Stadium and adjoining roads.

Motorists and commuters have been advised to plan their movements early and comply with instructions from security agencies.

Political parties and their supporters are also expected to maintain peaceful conduct throughout the campaign period.

What the Akure Rally Means for the 2027 Election

The movement of the APC campaign train from Dutse to Akure highlights the party's strategy of deploying senior political figures to different parts of the country as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

While President Tinubu is expected to attend selected campaign events, Vice President Shettima, Senator Yari and other party leaders are playing important roles in extending the party's message across the country.

For Ondo APC, the rally presents an opportunity to demonstrate political unity, strengthen its grassroots structures and consolidate support for the President's re-election bid.

Nevertheless, the success of the party's mobilisation efforts will ultimately be determined by voters' decisions at the polls in 2027.