VIDEO: VP Shettima Trills Crowd, Sprints to Podium at APC Rally in Cross River
Vice President Kashim Shettima thrilled supporters on Monday as he sprinted to the podium alongside the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at the party’s presidential campaign rally in Cross River State.
The two APC leaders drew attention when they raced towards the podium at the campaign event held in Calabar, Cross River State.
A video from the rally showed Shettima and other leaders of the party sprinting towards the stage, attracting excitement from supporters and other party members gathered for the event.
The rally forms part of the APC’s nationwide campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the party’s campaign schedule, the nationwide rallies commenced in Kaduna State on October 24, and are expected to end with a grand finale in Lagos State on January 9, 2027.
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to personally lead campaign rallies in 12 strategic states across the country’s geopolitical zones, while other senior party leaders are expected to oversee activities in the remaining states.
Shettima travelled to Calabar to lead the Cross River rally on behalf of the President and the ruling party.
The event comes amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with political parties and their candidates intensifying efforts to mobilise supporters across the country.
Recall that a chieftain of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Adebisi Olopoeyan, recently criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over his jumping display at a political gathering in Akure, Ondo State.
Makinde had challenged other presidential contenders to demonstrate their physical energy during an APM Southwest Town Hall meeting held at the Ondo State International Conference Centre, popularly known as The Dome.
Addressing participants, the Oyo governor said he would not make age an issue in the presidential campaign but would focus on energy. He also urged Nigerians not to vote for candidates who could not jump like him.
However, Olopoeyan described the display as childish, arguing that physical agility was not a measure of leadership competence.
“Is Aso Rock a fighting ground? Are we electing a wrestler or a president who understands the problems of Nigeria and has the capacity to solve them?” he asked.
The APM chieftain further argued that presidential campaigns should focus on policies and practical solutions to the country’s economic and security challenges rather than physical performances.
“Governance is not about how high you can jump on a stage. It is about how well you can think, how sound your judgement is, how you manage public resources, how you protect lives and property, and how you improve the living conditions of the people,” he said.
Olopoeyan also urged political candidates to explain how they intended to tackle insecurity, create jobs, improve electricity supply and address economic hardship.
“If you want to govern Nigeria, tell Nigerians what you will do differently. Tell us how you intend to tackle insecurity, create jobs, stabilise the economy, improve electricity supply, and reduce the hardship ordinary citizens face. Jumping up and down will not put food on anybody’s table,” he added.
