***VP reaffirms commitment to women’s empowerment, backs support group’s activities

A women’s support group campaigning for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027 has pledged to mobilise massive votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket nationwide, particularly among women.

The group, Nigerian Women for Tinubu/Shettima 2027 (NWFTAS 2027), made the pledge on Monday when its delegation visited Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to brief him on its activities and mobilisation plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Vice President, who received the delegation led by the group’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, High Chief (Dr.) Bisola Sodipo Edwin Clark, and National Coordinator and Convener, CSI Elsie Morgan Mangai (rtd.), reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to policies and programmes aimed at empowering women and expanding their participation in national development.

Shettima commended the group for its organised structure and national outlook, assuring its members of President Tinubu’s goodwill and support for their activities.

He described women as indispensable to the growth and stability of society, stressing that their welfare and advancement remained important indicators of a nation’s commitment to inclusive development.

“Women are the backbone of every society, and the growth and stability of every society. A nation is judged by the way they treat their women,” the Vice President said.

He added: “I want to convey to you the goodwill and the assurance, as well as maximum support of Mr President, to enable you carry out your activities.”

Earlier, Mangai said the group visited the Presidential Villa to explain the reasons behind its formation and outline its activities as a political support organisation committed to securing another term for Tinubu and Shettima.

She assured the Vice President that the group would intensify its nationwide mobilisation, with a particular focus on women, to deliver substantial electoral support for the APC presidential ticket in 2027.

According to her, the organisation’s decision to support the administration was informed by its belief in the need to consolidate ongoing economic reforms and allow the government to complete its programmes.

“We did not deceive any woman with promises or money. We told them sincerely why we believe the consolidation of you and Mr President should continue to complete what you both started,” she said.

Mangai likened the administration’s economic reforms to resetting a broken bone, which requires time and space to heal, arguing that the policies needed time to produce their intended results.

She expressed confidence in the leadership of Tinubu and Shettima, describing the administration as capable of steering Nigeria through its current challenges towards economic recovery and greater national stability.

The group’s convener also praised Shettima’s advocacy for national unity, citing his position that the forces binding Nigerians together were stronger than those dividing them.

Quoting the Vice President as saying, “What binds us together supersedes what divides us,” Mangai said the message remained relevant at a time when the country needed stronger national cohesion.

“We are deeply persuaded by this admonition and believe that its message remains as relevant as ever. At a time when our national cohesion requires commitment, your words serve as a compelling reminder that our shared values, common aspirations and collective destiny are far greater than our differences,” she said.

Mangai further commended the Vice President’s humility, loyalty to Tinubu and peaceful leadership style, describing these qualities as part of the reasons the group had embraced the Tinubu/Shettima 2027 platform.

“At a time when politics is loud, you have remained calm; when loyalty is scarce, you have remained faithful. As mothers raising children, that is the character we want our children to learn,” she said.

She explained that the group’s decision to retain the Tinubu/Shettima 2027 identity was deliberate, despite advice against it, adding that its members were encouraged by what they considered the cordial working relationship between the President and his deputy.

Mangai said the group was also motivated by the administration’s willingness to undertake economic reforms it believes could reshape Nigeria’s economic and political fortunes.

She reiterated the organisation’s determination to mobilise support across the country ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that its campaign would be driven by its conviction in the administration’s policies and leadership.