Precious Nwonu, Enugu
President Bola Tinubu has blamed previous administrations and opposition figures for Nigeria’s hunger and poverty, while promising improved prosperity if re-elected in 2027.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress presidential campaign flag-off at Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna, where he urged Nigerians to support his re-election bid and other APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
The President said his administration was working to address the country’s economic difficulties, adding that his government had maintained regular salary payments and that APC governors were making progress in their respective states.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger. Who created it? They did. They created hunger and poverty. We are trying to eradicate them,” Tinubu said.
He assured Nigerians, particularly young people, that a second term would bring greater economic opportunities and prosperity.
Tinubu also urged voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and turn out for the elections, calling on them to support APC candidates contesting governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly seats.
He defended his administration’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy, saying the country was moving towards a new phase of growth and recovery.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who also addressed the rally, appealed to Nigerians to renew the APC’s mandate, arguing that the party had delivered on its promises and deserved another term.
Shettima highlighted infrastructure projects being pursued by the administration, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, Kano-Maradi railway and Lagos-Kano rail corridor.
He also pointed to investments in education in Kaduna State, citing the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia, the Federal University of Education in Zaria and vocational institutions which he said had produced more than 4,000 graduates.
Shettima said the APC won the 2023 presidential election because voters considered the alternatives and chose the party, expressing confidence that Nigerians would again support Tinubu.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani also endorsed the President’s re-election bid, citing federal infrastructure projects and security interventions in the state.
Sani said reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway was 95 per cent complete. He also highlighted work on the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road, which he said had received N117bn in funding after remaining abandoned for more than 40 years.
The governor added that efforts to improve security had enabled the reopening of some schools and primary healthcare centres previously shut because of insecurity.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, said the party would campaign on the administration’s record in infrastructure, healthcare, education and human capital development.
Yari said APC leaders were engaging traditional rulers, Islamic clerics and other influential figures in Northern Nigeria to mobilise support for Tinubu’s return to office, describing continuity as important to the country’s stability and development.
The Kaduna event formally launched Tinubu’s campaign for the 2027 presidential election. The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the poll for January 16, 2027.
Several senior government and party officials attended the rally, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, governors, ministers, lawmakers and APC national executives.
Thousands of supporters gathered at the stadium, wearing party-branded clothing, waving flags and chanting slogans in support of Tinubu and other APC candidates.
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