President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to judge his administration by the lives its decisions have touched and the projects it has completed.
Tinubu made the appeal through Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign rally held on Thursday in Benin City, Edo State.
Shettima, who reeled out some of the administration's achievements in the last three years, urged Edo residents to reciprocate the Federal Government's interventions in the state by voting for Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the administration was seeking another mandate to complete ongoing projects and fulfil its outstanding commitments to Nigerians.
"We ask that our stewardship be judged by the lives our decisions have touched and the work we are determined to complete.
"The signs around the nation have given us reason to expect a good Friday on January 16, 2027. The wise among us say that by Wednesday, one can already tell what Friday will bring.
"Two years ago, you elected His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as your governor. Today, you have gathered in Benin City to assure His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he can count on you.
"When we came to you four years ago, we assured you that we could not address our nation's infrastructure deficit without carrying Edo State along. We have not abandoned that pledge.
"My good people of Edo, some work has been completed, some is underway, while other commitments remain before us.
"We have come this far with your trust, and we seek your mandate to finish the work we have begun," he said.
Shettima said the administration's achievements in the past three years had encouraged the APC to return to Edo State with confidence to seek the people's support.
He also said the Federal Government had listened to calls for the return of the historical treasures of the Benin Kingdom to their rightful home.
"We have seen progress in this regard, with Cambridge and Sweden transferring ownership of Benin's treasures to Nigeria.
"We honour His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, and all those who have sustained this demand across generations," he stated.
In his welcome address, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, reiterated his promise to deliver 2.5 million votes to President Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 election.
Okpebholo said the votes would be an expression of appreciation for the President's contributions to the development of Edo State.
"In Edo State, we are ready to deliver come January 2027. The President has done so much for Edo people.
"Today, we don't owe salaries. We don't owe pensioners. Construction work is going on everywhere," he added.
He added that the visible construction projects across the state demonstrated his administration's commitment to infrastructure development and workers' welfare.
Also speaking, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured Tinubu of the support of the South-South geopolitical zone, saying the region was prepared to vote massively for the APC in 2027.
Akpabio described Edo as a stronghold of the APC and expressed confidence that the South-South would deliver overwhelming support for the President.
Similarly, Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, urged residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, describing them as essential to translating political support into votes.
He said voters must obtain their PVCs and turn out at their respective polling units on election day to ensure Tinubu's re-election.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdul'aziz Yari, also urged Edo residents to support Tinubu, citing the administration's efforts to tackle insecurity and improve crude oil production.
Yari said improved security in the oil-producing areas of the South-South had contributed to increased national oil production, which he said had risen to about 1.8 million barrels per day.
The rally was attended by governors, former governors, APC leaders and supporters, including former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Meanwhile, at the palace of the Oba of Benin, the APC Presidential Campaign Council sought the prayers, counsel and goodwill of the monarch ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima led members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council to the Oba of Benin's palace in Benin City.
Speaking during the visit, Shettima described the Benin monarch as a respected custodian of African culture and civilisation, whose experience and wisdom remained valuable to the country.
"I have always found Your Majesty's personal journey particularly instructive. Before your ascension to the throne, you represented Nigeria as a diplomat in several nations.
"As we approach another democratic season, we seek Your Majesty's prayers, counsel and goodwill. We value the role of the Benin throne as a promoter of peace, reconciliation and mutual respect.
"Your Majesty understands that what ultimately matters is the welfare of the people and the stability of the nation. We welcome your guidance and remain deeply ready to listen to the concerns of your Kingdom," Shettima said.
He congratulated the monarch on the cordial relationship between the Federal Government and the Edo State Government, noting that the Federal Government recognised the traditional institution's role in promoting peace and reconciliation.
Shettima also highlighted the historical contributions of the Benin Kingdom, particularly the return of looted artefacts, which he said had started finding their way back to their ancestral home through the efforts of the Oba.
He described the development as a matter of justice and national pride.
The Vice-President further recalled the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Kingdom, describing it as a painful chapter in the history of the Benin people.
He, however, noted that the monarchy had remained a testament to the resilience of the people through their enduring art, craftsmanship and civilisation.
Shettima said the Benin experience demonstrated that progress and tradition could complement each other.
In his response, the Oba of Benin expressed delight at the visit and acknowledged the role of the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, in matters relating to the return of Benin artefacts.
The monarch assured the delegation of his prayers for the country.
"We will be praying for the nation. Most of them are the President. Everything is all said and done," the Oba said.
2027: Judge my administration by lives touched, projects completed – Tinubu