Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Friday said President Bola Tinubu will secure more than two million votes in Akwa Ibom state in the 2027 elections.

Akpabio made the promise during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

He said more than two million registered voters in Akwa Ibom have collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

“We are united for progress; we are united in love for the president and for the APC,” Akpabio said.

“Let me make a quick correction, the DG of the campaign said we have 3.2 million registered voters, and he said about 1.8 million have collected their PVCs. Can I correct him? Over two million people have collected their PVCs.

“So, how many votes are we projecting for President Tinubu? Two million votes. And two million votes he will have.

“We don’t play tricks in Akwa Ibom, we deliver as it should be delivered. So, the DG of the campaign, my people are prepared to vote the president back to Aso Rock with over 2 million votes.

“On behalf of my colleagues who are here, distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I’m very proud of the governors of the south-south.”

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to attend an All Progressives Congress (APC) political rally as well as the inauguration of several projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and .

The President arrived in the state on Friday alongside his wife, Remi Tinubu, and was received by Governor Eno, Vice President Kashim Shettima, government officials and other dignitaries.

Tinubu’s visit is expected to feature the commissioning of key infrastructure projects across the state, including facilities at the Victor Attah International Airport.

The President is scheduled to inaugurate the airport’s new international terminal building, international airport hospital and Ibom Aviation Village.

Other projects lined up for commissioning include the Airport-Okopedi Road, which connects communities in Nsit Atai and Okobo Local Government Areas, and Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom.

The AKWA-GIS Office Complex, Command-and-Control Centre and ARISE Palm Resort are also among the projects scheduled for inauguration.

The President’s visit was earlier announced by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Thursday.

Onanuga said the President would commission the projects before participating in a political rally organised by the APC in the state.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), , has called on the international community to support efforts to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible elections in Nigeria.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra state, made the call on Thursday after meeting with the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria and his delegation at the Commissioner’s residence in Abuja.

According to Obi, in a statement shared on his X handle, discussions at the meeting focused on governance, the welfare of Nigerians and the forthcoming elections.

He said his appeal to the international community was not for support for any  political party or candidate but for the protection of Nigerians’ democratic rights.

“Our appeal to the international community is not for support for any particular candidate or political party. It is for something far more fundamental: the protection of the Nigerian people’s democratic right to freely choose their leaders through free, fair, transparent and credible elections, Obi stated.”

He stressed that democracy should reflect the choices and aspirations of the people, urging foreign partners to continue promoting accountability and respect for the people’s mandate.

“Democracy must be about the people, their choices and their future,” he said.

Obi also encouraged the international community to continue standing with Nigerians, insisting that the outcome of elections must reflect the genuine will of the electorate.

The NDC candidate further said he congratulated the British High Commissioner and the people of the United Kingdom on the occasion of the birthday of King Charles III.