President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accused opposition leaders of creating the hunger and poverty they now criticise his administration over, as he formally launched his campaign for the 2027 general elections in Kaduna State.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, at a rally held at Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna, where he urged residents to support his re-election bid, citing his administration’s achievements in infrastructure and economic development.
“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,” the President said.
According to a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu’s comments were apparently directed at opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The statement recalled that several state-owned enterprises were privatised during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in which Atiku served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007. It alleged that many affected workers were left without their gratuities and pensions, adding that the Tinubu administration had been making payments to the workers.
At the campaign rally, Tinubu also inaugurated the 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway through a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who participated in the virtual commissioning of Lot 1 of the highway project, highlighted infrastructure developments being undertaken by the Tinubu administration in the North-West and other parts of the country.
The President described Kaduna as a historically significant city and a major political centre in northern Nigeria. He thanked residents for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election and appealed to them to renew his mandate in 2027.
Tinubu pointed to investments in critical infrastructure in Kaduna State and across northern Nigeria as evidence of his administration’s commitment to economic development.
Shettima seeks support for continuity
Vice-President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s administration, citing its commitment to national unity, democratic stability and economic development.
Shettima also recalled Tinubu’s past support for northern presidential candidates, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, who won the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
He further referenced Tinubu’s political relationships with other northern leaders, including Atiku Abubakar and former presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu, describing them as evidence of political loyalty, mutual respect and a commitment to national unity.
The Vice-President said the APC’s electoral success in Kaduna reflected the electorate’s confidence in the party’s promise to improve the state’s fortunes.
“We won the last election because you saw the best option before you. For the good people of Kaduna State, we have seen why you stood with us within the mandate of the APC, a mandate to redeem the fortune of this great state. This wisdom has made Kaduna State a unified place,” Shettima said.
He called on party members and supporters to maintain their solidarity with Tinubu as the APC seeks another term in office.
Uba Sani warns against misinformation
In his welcome address, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani commended Tinubu for supporting state governments in implementing development programmes and pursuing their priorities.
The governor stressed the importance of cooperation between federal and state governments in driving sustainable development, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture and policies aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.
He also praised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her interventions in support of women, children and families.
Uba Sani urged APC supporters to remain alert to misinformation during the electioneering period, warning against misleading content circulated on social media, including materials allegedly generated using artificial intelligence.
Similarly, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yari commended the governor, party leaders and other stakeholders for organising the campaign launch. He also defended the administration’s economic reforms, pointing to developments in the foreign exchange market and urging Nigerians to evaluate the government based on its policies and performance.
The former Zamfara State governor urged party supporters to guard against misinformation, expressing confidence in the APC’s political machinery and experience in previous elections.
The rally was attended by APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Shettima, the First Lady, governors elected on the APC platform, former party national chairman Abdullahi Adamu, former APC national chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and other party leaders, according to the presidential statement.
The event marked the launch of Tinubu’s campaign activities in Kaduna as the ruling party prepares to seek another presidential mandate in the 2027 general elections.
