Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Governor of Delta State and the 2023 running mate to Atiku Abubakar, has publicly endorsed the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu. This announcement came during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
During his speech, Okowa expressed his belief in the direction of the current administration, stating that he has “seen the light” and is confident that President Tinubu is establishing a solid foundation for the country. He cautioned against the return of the fuel subsidy, emphasizing that it could jeopardize the future of Nigeria’s youth, as others had previously undermined the nation’s foundation through such policies.
Additionally, the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, announced an ambitious target of 2.3 million votes for Tinubu in the upcoming election on January 16. Yari noted that approximately 2.8 million Permanent Voter Cards have been collected out of 3.3 million registered voters in Rivers State, underscoring the potential for the party to achieve this goal. He urged supporters to rally behind Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to secure these votes, asserting that the party expects nothing less than an 80 percent turnout from Rivers.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio remarked that Rivers State was the only one in the South-South region that Tinubu won decisively in the 2023 elections and expressed optimism that this success would be replicated. Akpabio also claimed that under Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria’s revenue generation from taxation now exceeds that from crude oil. Meanwhile, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda endorsed the Tinubu-Shettima ticket as the “best for now in Nigeria.” Senator Magnus Abe defended the Rainbow Coalition’s role in the state, stating that its primary aim is to support the president’s re-election efforts.
