President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has blamed opposition parties for Nigeria’s hunger and poverty, insisting that his administration is working to address the economic challenges facing the country.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign for the 2027 general election at the Kaduna Township Stadium, where he sought Nigerians’ support for a second term in office.
The President, who thanked Nigerians for electing him in 2023, said a renewed mandate would enable his administration to sustain ongoing reforms and pursue its promises of prosperity, progress and development.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did! They created hunger, they created poverty. We are trying to eradicate it,” Tinubu said.
He assured supporters that his administration remained committed to improving the country’s economic situation, maintaining regular salary payments and creating better opportunities for young Nigerians.
Tinubu also defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing the policy as a necessary break from past practices. He urged Nigerians to reject what he characterised as misleading claims by his political opponents.
“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” he said.
The President called on eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2027 general election. He also urged APC supporters to mobilise votes for the party’s candidates at the presidential, governorship and legislative levels.
The campaign flag-off attracted Vice-President Kashim Shettima, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, governors, ministers and other party leaders.
Speaking at the event, Governor Uba Sani highlighted federal infrastructure projects and development interventions in Kaduna State, while urging voters to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The rally marks the formal launch of the APC’s presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 elections, with the administration’s economic record, cost-of-living pressures and security challenges expected to feature prominently in the contest.
Tinubu’s defence of his economic policies comes amid continued public concerns over rising living costs, fuel prices and household financial pressures, issues likely to remain central to the debate over his administration’s performance and prospects for a second term.
