President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to defeat insecurity, promising improved welfare for security personnel and further support for farmers during an APC rally in Dutse, Jigawa State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to overcome Nigeria’s security challenges, promising improved salaries and welfare for members of the armed forces and police.
Speaking on Tuesday at an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at Dutse Township Stadium in Jigawa State, Tinubu said his government was strengthening security agencies to improve their capacity to protect lives and property.
“I promise you, we are working hard to ensure that Nigeria is safe and our forces are well taken care of, regardless of where they come from.
“We will conquer insecurity. We’ve been through many wars. We will defeat our enemies. Enemies of unity, enemies of stability, enemies of hope. I assure you that we are doing that.
“We’re strengthening the police; we’re strengthening the armed forces. We are paying better salaries today,” the President said.
At the rally, Tinubu presented the APC campaign manifesto, titled “From Reforms to Prosperity,” which outlines the administration’s achievements and plans in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and security.
He described the document as a blueprint for consolidating economic reforms, expanding opportunities and delivering shared prosperity, pledging to complete ongoing programmes and projects.
The President also defended the removal of the petroleum subsidy, accusing political opponents advocating its restoration of misleading Nigerians.
He argued that the savings from subsidy removal had enabled the government to undertake development projects across the country’s geopolitical zones.
“You have seen what we are doing. Across the country, no region is left behind. Those who think they should bring the subsidy back are liars.
“How will they pay for those commitments? How will you repair the roads? How will you maintain them? How will you function?” Tinubu queried.
On agriculture, the President pledged additional support for small-scale farmers through financing, mechanisation and irrigation.
“We will reward small-scale farmers. Interest-free loans for farmers are coming. Prosperity is coming. Food security will happen,” he said.
Tinubu thanked the people of Jigawa for their support and urged them to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections by voting for APC candidates at all levels.
Before the rally, the President commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-Purpose Skills Acquisition Centre and the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre. He also virtually commissioned the three-kilometre dualised Old Police Station–Palace Road in Dutse.
He further commissioned 400 tractors and other agricultural equipment procured by the Jigawa State Government to promote mechanised farming and strengthen food production and security.
In his welcome address, Governor Umar Namadi commended Tinubu’s development initiatives in Jigawa and other parts of Northern Nigeria.
Namadi highlighted the Greater Hadejia Water Project, which he said was 60 per cent complete, the Katsina–Maradi rail line and federal interventions in education, agriculture and social welfare.
He also thanked the President for approving the establishment of Federal Colleges of Education in Dutse and Hadejia.
The governor particularly praised Tinubu for fulfilling a campaign promise made in 2023 to the late Emir of Dutse, Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi, to address the acute water shortage in Dutse.
Namadi also cited the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), through which thousands of Jigawa students have benefited, and the Conditional Cash Transfer programme, which he said had provided relief to several low-income families in the state.
However, he appealed to the President to intervene in the ecological challenges facing Dutse and Hadejia, describing them as beyond the capacity of the state government.
Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged the people of Jigawa to sustain their support for Tinubu, highlighting the President’s commitment to the welfare and development of Northern Nigeria.
Shettima recalled Tinubu’s support for the late President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections, as well as his previous support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Nuhu Ribadu in their presidential ambitions.
He called on the people of Jigawa to reciprocate that support by voting for the APC in the 2027 general elections.
The Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to quality leadership, economic consolidation and national prosperity.
Yari challenged opposition parties to present stronger socio-economic policies rather than promote divisive politics.
Speaking on behalf of the Progressive Governors Forum, Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu recalled Tinubu’s political relationships and past interventions involving Northern leaders. He urged Nigerians to support what he described as a focused and determined leader whose policies had helped prevent the country from moving towards the precipice.
The Deputy Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, also commended Tinubu’s leadership and urged party supporters to back APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Dignitaries at the rally included Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, ministers and other political leaders from across the country.
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