President Bola Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for hunger and poverty in Nigeria, insisting that his administration is working to address the economic hardship as he formally launched his re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off at Ranchers Bees Stadium, also known as Kaduna Township Stadium, where he asked Nigerians to renew his mandate for a second term.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did! They created hunger, they created poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” the president said.
He thanked Kaduna residents for supporting his emergence as president in 2023 and promised prosperity, continuity and progress if re-elected.
“We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working, I am proud of them, they are developing,” he added.
Tinubu Defends Fuel Subsidy Removal
The president also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, a major issue in the debate over the country’s economic direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have promised to restore the subsidy if elected.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to be cautious about what he described as misleading claims by his political opponents, arguing that the former subsidy system was associated with corruption, fraudulent invoices and fuel smuggling.
“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” he said.
Shettima Highlights Tinubu’s Support For Northern Leaders
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who also addressed the rally, praised Tinubu for what he described as his longstanding support for northern political leaders.
Shettima cited Tinubu’s backing of Atiku Abubakar in the 2007 presidential election, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and former President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 elections.
He said those political relationships demonstrated Tinubu’s commitment to working with leaders from the North.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani also urged APC supporters to remain vigilant, alleging that opposition parties were increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in their campaign activities.
“The opposition have now upgraded their campaign from Facebook and Twitter to AI,” Sani said, urging supporters to be watchful.
APC Leaders Rally Support For Second Term
Other party figures at the event included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Works Minister Dave Umahi, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, campaign Director-General Abdulaziz Yari and First Lady Remi Tinubu, alongside governors from the North-West.
The rally drew crowds of APC supporters, many dressed in party-branded clothing and waving flags as speakers addressed the gathering.
The campaign launch marks the beginning of the ruling party’s mobilisation for Tinubu’s second-term bid, with economic hardship, fuel subsidy policy, security and the performance of the current administration expected to remain key issues in the lead-up to the 2027 election.
