President Bola Tinubu on Saturday blamed opposition leaders for Nigeria’s hunger and poverty, accusing them of creating problems they now exploit against his administration.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger; they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” Tinubu said.
He spoke at the flag-off of his presidential campaign for the 2027 general elections at Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna.
In a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga in Kaduna, Tinubu’s remarks appeared directed at opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Abubakar served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007, when several state-owned enterprises were privatised.
Thousands of affected workers were reportedly left without their gratuities and pensions following the privatisation exercises.
The Tinubu administration has been paying outstanding entitlements to some of the affected workers.
At the rally, Tinubu also inaugurated an 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway through a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
He recalled Kaduna’s historical significance as a city of leaders and the former Northern Region’s political headquarters.
The President said his administration was working to eradicate poverty and thanked Kaduna residents for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election.
He urged them to renew his mandate in 2027, citing investments in critical economic infrastructure across Kaduna State and the wider Northern region.
The rally attracted APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.
Others included the Vice-President’s wife, Nana Shettima; 32 APC governors; former National Chairman Sen. Abdullahi Adamu; and former Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Speaking at the rally, Shettima reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to national unity, democratic stability and economic development. He urged Nigerians to support the administration for continuity.
The Vice-President recalled Tinubu’s support for Northern presidential candidates in previous elections, including former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari won the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
Shettima also cited Tinubu’s support for other Northern political leaders in earlier presidential contests, including Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
He described these gestures as evidence of political loyalty, mutual respect and Tinubu’s commitment to national unity.
Shettima said such relationships had strengthened the APC and underscored the need for Nigerians to work towards a united and prosperous country.
He urged party members and supporters to sustain their solidarity with Tinubu as the APC seeks another mandate.
“We won the last election because you saw the best option before you,” Shettima said.
He said Kaduna residents had supported the APC’s mandate to redeem the state’s fortunes, adding that their wisdom had unified Kaduna.
In his welcome address, Kaduna State Governor, Sen. Uba Sani, commended Tinubu for supporting state governments in implementing development programmes.
Sani said Federal-State collaboration was essential to sustainable development, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture and citizens’ welfare.
He also acknowledged First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s contributions to the welfare of women, children and families.
The governor urged APC supporters to remain vigilant against misinformation during the electioneering period.
He specifically warned against misleading social media materials and content allegedly generated using artificial intelligence.
Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to mobilise support for Tinubu.
Yari commended Sani, party leaders and other stakeholders for organising the campaign flag-off.
He described their participation as evidence of commitment to the party’s political objectives.
Yari defended the administration’s economic reforms, citing developments in the foreign exchange market.
He urged Nigerians to assess the government based on its policies and performance.
The former Zamfara governor also cautioned supporters against misinformation, expressing confidence in the APC’s political organisation, electoral experience and track record.
Speaking during the virtual commissioning of Lot 1 of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, Works Minister, Dave Umahi, highlighted infrastructure projects across the North-West and Nigeria.
The commissioned section covers 81 kilometres.