A royal commendation came yesterday for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for living up to expectations in the last three years.

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku’Akpolokpolo Ewuare II, who noted the President’s re-election bid, said he deserves a “renewed mandate”.

“For somebody who is doing well, it is our prayer that he gets a renewed mandate,” the monarch said.

Oba Ewuare, who received the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), led by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, at his palace, said critics should allow President Tinubu to complete his good work.

Politics

Also yesterday, the PCC team visited the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar ibn Umar Garba el-Kanemi, at his palace in Maiduguri.

The PCC kicked off campaigns for the President on Monday with visits to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu I.

Yesterday’s team included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakar Wamakko; former Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Adamu Aleiro; former Governor of Kano State and former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; former Governor of Katsina State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.

Dare made known the PCC’s visits in a statement yesterday.

They were led to the ancient palace by Deputy Governor Denis Idahosa.

Yari, who brought felicitations to the monarch from the President, solicited his blessings for Tinubu ahead of next year’s general election.

Justifying President Tinubu’s second-term bid, he highlighted the achievements of the administration, including a reduction in food prices, the stabilisation of the naira after the exchange rate climbed to roughly N1,800 to the dollar, and the construction of inter-regional roads.

Oba Ewuare thanked the President for the warm reception he received during his visit to the State House in Abuja and hailed the PCC’s decision to visit the Benin Palace.

After praying for the President, the monarch burst into singing the song popularised by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike: “As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us.”

Noting the criticisms against the President, Oba Ewuare invoked the Scriptures, saying: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

He added: “If one is doing well, why not join hands with the President to do what he is doing well? Let President Tinubu finish the good work.”

Assessing the motley crowd of opposition candidates, the traditional ruler observed that not all the opposition candidates were really out to contest the poll. He urged them to support the President as he continues to implement his programmes.

The Shehu of Borno commended President Tinubu for the improved security measures now in place.

According to him, he travels across the country without much fear of being attacked.

He prayed for a peaceful country and peaceful elections.

During the consultative visit to his palace by PCC Director-General Senator Yari and members of the council, the DG used the occasion to ask for prayers and royal blessings.

Barau inaugurates Kano North campaign council

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau said APC candidates in Kano North Senatorial District deserved victory “from top to bottom”.

He urged party faithful to gird their loins.

He spoke on the imperative of victory when he inaugurated the Kano North Senatorial District Campaign Council for the January 16, 2027 election.

The campaign committee is headed by the Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority and former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Rabiu Sulaiman Bichi.

Barau said the campaign committee would mobilise across the 13 local governments in Kano North for the re-election of President Tinubu, himself, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and state and National Assembly candidates.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said Barau urged members of the council to remain steadfast and dedicated to the party.

He described the campaign committee as an all-inclusive structure, saying every stakeholder at the ward, local government and senatorial district levels had a role to play in ensuring the success of the party.

Barau said: “This is an all-inclusive arrangement. Everybody is involved, and all stakeholders are part and parcel of this council.

“This has always been our system, and it is one of the reasons we have continued to succeed in Kano North. This election will not be an exception, by God’s grace.”

He charged the campaign committee to mobilise, galvanise and bring stakeholders together to secure overwhelming victories for the candidates.

Barau also appealed to party members to put the outcome of the APC primaries behind them, stressing that the shadow polls were over.

He said it was normal for politicians to compete for party tickets in a democracy, urging those who emerged victorious to work with those who contested but did not win.

Barau said: “You can see that many of those who contested the primaries but did not secure the tickets are here today.

“They understand that the party belongs to all of us, and that the victory of the party is ultimately their own victory.”

Bichi said the committee would campaign for all APC candidates, from the presidential level to the House of Assembly.

He described Barau as a strong and sellable candidate whose interventions and contributions had left visible footprints across Kano State.

The chairman said the committee was made up of seasoned politicians and grassroots mobilisers, expressing confidence that they would work together to deliver the highest number of votes for the candidates in Kano North and beyond.

Bichi said members of the committee would work tirelessly and mobilise the electorate to vote for the APC. (The Nation)