At Campaign Flag-off, Tinubu Accuses Opposition Of Creating Hunger, Poverty

President Bola Tinubu yesterday accused opposition politicians of creating the hunger and poverty on which they criticise his administration, urging Nigerians to support his re-election bid in 2027.

The president spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, where Vice President Kashim Shettima, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the director-general of the campaign council, Abdul Aziz Yari, called on Nigerians, particularly those in the North, to support Tinubu for a second term.

Tinubu, while addressing supporters at the rally, challenged the opposition over its criticism of the economic challenges facing the country, insisting that his administration was working to address them.

“I hear my opponents talking about hunger, poverty. Who created it? They did. They created hunger. They created poverty. We’re trying to eradicate it,” the president said.

He also highlighted the regular payment of salaries to workers and commended state governors for their contributions to the administration’s development efforts.

Tinubu said his government was pursuing economic recovery, growth, prosperity and expanded opportunities for Nigerians.

He defended the removal of fuel subsidy, maintaining that the policy was part of efforts to address the country’s economic challenges.

The president also pledged to tackle corruption, false invoicing and smuggling, while urging APC supporters to mobilise voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He called on party members to remain united and encouraged eligible voters to keep their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the polls.

Vice President Kashim Shettima urged northern Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election, citing the president’s past support for prominent northern political leaders, including former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, former National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and former president Muhammadu Buhari.

Shettima said Tinubu had stood by political leaders from the North at different points in their political journeys, arguing that the region should reciprocate his support.

“This explains why we have all stood with him. To declare why Arewa support for you. This is a mark of honour and our faith in a man of honour,” the vice president said.

He added, “We have come to you with a heart full of gratitude. Gratitude for standing with us. Gratitude for believing in us.”

The vice president also highlighted the administration’s interventions in education, vocational training and infrastructure, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He commended Governor Uba Sani for his efforts in Kaduna State, particularly in education and vocational training, and urged northern voters to support the president’s continuity agenda.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and the APC presidential campaign director-general, Abdul Aziz Yari, expressed confidence that northern Nigerians would deliver massive votes for Tinubu in 2027.

Sani cited infrastructure development, security efforts, education and agricultural support as reasons for the region to back the President.

He commended Tinubu for the reconstruction of the 123-kilometre Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road, which he said had been abandoned for more than 40 years.

“Mr President, today I can assure you the two promises you made, I’m happy to say that you have fulfilled the promises. Number one, you promised you were going to reconstruct Kaduna to Birnin Gwari Road, the 123 kilometres that was abandoned for over 40 years,” the governor said.

Sani also highlighted the Zaria–Soba–Funtua Road project, the reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna expressway and proposed rail infrastructure for the Kaduna metropolis.

He said the administration had supported education through NELFUND, adding that 414,000 students in the North-West had benefited from the student loan initiative, according to figures he cited at the rally.

The governor also pointed to the reopening of schools and primary healthcare centres in Kaduna State, alongside vocational education programmes.

“No leader in the history of Nigeria has supported farmers in agricultural transformation as you have done, Mr President,” Sani said.

He challenged opposition politicians to present their records on infrastructure and development, particularly in northern Nigeria, rather than criticising the President without offering evidence of their own achievements.

Sani said the North would reciprocate Tinubu’s support with votes in the 2027 election.

“Mr President, I want to assure you that the people of Northern Nigeria will repay you with their votes. You have shown love, Mr President,” he said.

Yari also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s electoral prospects, citing the administration’s agricultural interventions and support for farmers.

He dismissed opposition claims that the President had neglected farmers, describing such criticism as misleading.

“They claim that your administration does not support farmers and that you hate farmers. That is not true,” Yari said.

The campaign Director-General further alleged that opposition groups were using artificial intelligence to spread misinformation about the administration.

“The opposition have now upgraded their campaign from Facebook and Twitter to AI. So I want to call the attention of our supporters to prepare, to be vigilant. The opposition have only been campaigning with AI, no real campaign,” he said.

Yari claimed that about two million farmers had committed to voting for Tinubu in 2027.

“By God’s grace, about two million farmers have made a commitment to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, in sha Allah,” he said.

The APC campaign flag-off brought together party leaders, elected officials and supporters, with speakers urging the electorate to back Tinubu for another term.

The chairman of the APC, Prof Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda also presented the party’s flag to the seven governors of the north west who are all seeking re-election in 2027.