President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian youths to take an active part in the 2027 general elections, saying the outcome will have a direct bearing on their future and the country’s direction.
Addressing supporters at a Rainbow Coalition rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday, Tinubu urged eligible young voters who had yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so and participate in the electoral process.
“To the youth of Nigeria, I’m looking at you. This election is about you. It’s not about me. Your future depends on this election,” he said.
The President described the PVC as a means for young Nigerians to influence the country’s leadership and urged them not to stay away from the polls and later complain about the outcome.
“It is left for you to use the weapon you have, and that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect it,” Tinubu said.
He also connected the 2027 election to his administration’s economic programme, saying the government was working to improve the economy and ensure that prosperity reached more Nigerians.
Tinubu said his administration had begun paying pension and gratuity arrears owed to retirees, which he said had accumulated under previous governments.
“The people that governed before, they left unpaid pensions and gratuity in billions and trillions of naira. That is being cleared, so that every family is included. We are sharing prosperity already,” he said.
He cited retired engineers, welders and teachers among those he said were receiving payments.
“A retired engineer is receiving their gratuity right now. A retired welder is receiving the pension right now. A retired teacher is receiving a pension right now,” he added.
The rally was organised by the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance led by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, to mobilise support for Tinubu’s expected re-election bid in 2027.
The coalition brings together politicians and supporters from different parties, including members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Tinubu’s appeal comes as political parties and support groups step up mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. His message to young voters centred on registering, collecting their voter cards and using the ballot to influence the country’s leadership and future direction.
