President Bola Tinubu has blamed opposition leaders for Nigeria’s hunger and poverty, accusing them of creating the challenges his administration is working to address during the flag-off of his 2027 presidential campaign in Kaduna.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed opposition leaders for Nigeria’s hunger and poverty, accusing them of creating the challenges they now criticise his administration over.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, during the flag-off of his presidential campaign for the 2027 general elections at Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna State.
“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 in Kaduna by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s comments appeared directed at opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Abubakar served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007, a period during which several state-owned enterprises were privatised. Reports indicate that some workers affected by the exercises were left without their gratuities and pensions.
The Tinubu administration has been paying outstanding entitlements to some of the affected workers.
At the campaign rally, the President also inaugurated an 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway through a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Tinubu described Kaduna as a historically significant city, recalling its role as a centre of leadership and the political headquarters of the former Northern Region.
He thanked Kaduna residents for supporting him during the 2023 presidential election and urged them to renew his mandate in 2027.
The President cited investments in critical economic infrastructure across Kaduna State and the wider Northern region as evidence of his administration’s development agenda.
The rally attracted several senior All Progressives Congress (APC) figures, including the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; Vice-President Kashim Shettima; and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Others in attendance included the Vice-President’s wife, Nana Shettima; 32 APC governors; former National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Speaking at the event, Shettima reaffirmed Tinubu’s commitment to national unity, democratic stability and economic development, urging 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, who won the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
Shettima also referenced Tinubu’s support for other Northern political leaders in earlier presidential contests, including Atiku Abubakar and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
He described the relationships as evidence of political loyalty, mutual respect and Tinubu’s commitment to national unity.
According to Shettima, such political relationships had strengthened the APC and demonstrated the importance of cooperation in building a united and prosperous Nigeria.
He urged party members and supporters to maintain their solidarity with Tinubu as the APC seeks another presidential mandate.
“We won the last election because you saw the best option before you,” Shettima said.
He added that Kaduna residents had supported the APC’s mandate to improve the state’s fortunes, describing their decision as a factor in the state’s political unity.
In his welcome address, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, commended Tinubu for supporting state governments in implementing development programmes.
Sani said collaboration between federal and state governments was essential to sustainable development, particularly in infrastructure, agriculture and citizens’ welfare.
He also acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to initiatives supporting women, children and families.
The governor urged APC supporters to remain vigilant against misinformation during the electioneering period, specifically warning 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 ahead of the 2027 elections.
Yari commended Sani, party leaders and other stakeholders for organising the campaign flag-off, describing their participation as evidence of commitment to the party’s political objectives.
He also defended the administration’s economic reforms, citing developments in the foreign exchange market, and urged Nigerians to assess the government based on its policies and performance.
The former Zamfara State governor cautioned supporters against misinformation, expressing confidence in the APC’s political organisation, electoral experience and record.
Meanwhile, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, speaking during the virtual commissioning of Lot 1 of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, highlighted infrastructure projects being undertaken across the North-West and other parts of the country.
The commissioned section of the highway covers 81 kilometres, marking another infrastructure milestone highlighted by the administration during the campaign event.
The Kaduna rally combined campaign mobilisation with the presentation of the administration’s economic and infrastructure agenda as Tinubu seeks re-election in 2027.
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