Tinubu said the election was not about his personal ambition but about determining the future of young Nigerians, urging them to exercise their voting rights and play an active role in choosing the country’s leadership.
The President made the appeal on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition presidential campaign rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Addressing the youths, Tinubu said: “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 urged eligible voters who had yet to collect their PVCs to do so, describing the voter card as a powerful tool for shaping the country’s future.
“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. Please. I beg you. I take God beg you,” he said.
Tinubu also described economic development as a critical tool in the fight against poverty, assuring Nigerians that his administration was working to strengthen the economy and ensure that prosperity reached more households.
He said his government was clearing outstanding pension and gratuity liabilities inherited from previous administrations, which he claimed amounted to billions and trillions of naira.
“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,” the President said.
He listed retired professionals, including engineers, welders and teachers, among those benefiting from the payments.
“A retired engineer is receiving their gratuity right now. A retired welder is receiving the pension right now. A retired teacher is receiving the pension right now,” he added.
The President thanked residents of Rivers State for their support and warm reception, expressing his appreciation for their engagement during the rally.
The event was organised by the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Tinubu’s appearance in Port Harcourt forms part of his political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections. He had earlier launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna State on 24 October.
