Nigeria’s Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, says Ondo State’s revenue from the Federation Account increased by more than 22 per cent in the first nine months of 2026, compared with the corresponding period in 2025, attributing the growth to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.
Shettima made the disclosure on Wednesday while addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at the Akure Township Stadium in Ondo State.
Representing President Tinubu at the rally, the Vice-President said the administration’s economic policies had strengthened state finances and created opportunities for investment in infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare and other critical sectors.
“Our promise to prioritise the welfare of Ondo State has been demonstrated through the increased revenue accruing to Ondo State. This has come with President Tinubu’s reforms. Even in the first nine months of this year, Ondo received over 22 per cent more from the Federation Account than it did in the same period last year,” he said.
Shettima commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for deploying additional resources towards development projects, particularly infrastructure and rural development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government, in partnership with the Ondo State Government and development partners, had constructed, rehabilitated and maintained more than 386 kilometres of rural roads to improve access to farms and markets.
“We are aware that a cocoa farmer in Idanre knows how much of his earnings a bad road can swallow. We have worked with your governor and our partners to build, repair and maintain more than 386 kilometres of rural roads,” the Vice-President stated.
He also highlighted progress on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying construction had reached Ajegeri in Ilaje, while the Port Ondo licence had been revalidated.
According to him, 48 kilometres of concrete pavement had also been completed on the Sagamu-Ore Road.
On power and water infrastructure, Shettima announced the completion and commissioning of the Ode-Erinje transmission line and substation, adding that pipes had started arriving for the Owena water supply project in Akure.
The Vice-President further listed the operationalisation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital, five TETFund projects at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, and healthcare support through 203 public facilities under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
He said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), student hostel projects, and financing and grants for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises were also creating opportunities for students, traders, artisans and business owners.
On security, Shettima acknowledged the challenges inherited by the Tinubu administration, particularly attacks that affected Ondo State, while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security institutions.
“We inherited a compromised security system, no doubt, and Ondo State paid a regrettable price. But we overcame all the attacks on us because we stood together and declared that never shall we let the enemies of the state triumph,” he said.
Assessing the administration’s economic performance, the Vice-President declared: “Our economy is stable now. We have put the naysayers to shame. And the cause is not magic; it is your choice, your vote, your trust, your patience, your faith, and the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.”
He called on residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, assuring them that the administration would consolidate its reforms and complete ongoing development projects.
Meanwhile, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged the support of Ondo residents for President Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
The governor said the state had benefited from the President’s leadership, recalling that residents supported Tinubu during the 2023 general election because of his record as former governor of Lagos State.
“We voted for you because we believe in you, because we know what you can do, and because we know your track record as a former governor of Lagos State. Mr. President, you have not disappointed us at all. You have also done well here in Ondo State by giving us three ministers,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He also commended the President’s economic reforms, describing them as effective, and pledged to mobilise residents across the state to support his re-election.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, described Tinubu as an experienced and prepared candidate, arguing that his leadership experience positioned him to address Nigeria’s challenges.
He said 18 political parties had presented presidential candidates for the 2027 election, but maintained that Tinubu possessed the experience, exposure and preparation required for the presidency.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, urged residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election.
Uzodimma disclosed that Ondo State had 2.4 million registered voters, but only 1.4 million had collected their PVCs.
He urged eligible voters to visit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices to collect their cards to enable them to participate in the January 16 election.
Similarly, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, called on residents to secure a decisive victory for Tinubu, urging youths, women and elderly voters to participate in the election.
Yari also commended the development projects in Ondo State, expressing the hope that similar infrastructure investments would be extended to his home state of Zamfara.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
