- Says blames opposition for your hunger, poverty
BY VICTOR BUORO – President Bola Tinubu has again defended his administration’s most controversial economic policy, declaring “no regrets” over the removal of the petrol subsidy
This is as he also described his re-election bid as the only viable path to lasting economic prosperity and repositioning the country for sustainable economic growth and development.
President Tinubu, who spoke on Saturday during the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign official flag-off at the Kaduna Township Stadium, however admitted that the painful reform was a necessary sacrifice to save the nation from fiscal collapse.
He argued that returning to the subsidy regime would reverse the progress made so far and bankrupt the country and urged voters to focus on the long-term gains rather than half-baked promises from the political opponents
For the President, Nigerians should blame opposition parties for their current economic woes and biting hunger in the country but assured that government is unrelenting in its efforts at reversing the situation for the overall good of all Nigerians.
In response to criticisms over the country’s economic hardship, President Tinubu said, “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,”
According to him, the disturbing inflation, rising cost of living and poverty ravaging the land were the creation of political opponents who do not wish the people well, promising that things are already changing for the prosperity, continuous development and progress of the country.
With assurance that his administration’s economic policies mean well for Nigeria and the government is working relentlessly to address the situation, the President charged the ruling party supporters to renew his mandate with the promise that they will not regret backing the second-term bid
Expressing deep gratitude to voters who propelled him to victory in 2023, President Tinubu promised that they would not regret backing his re-election bid, maintaining that next year’s general election represents a definitive poll on the APC’s governance of the country so far.
He defended his track record by pointing to the tangible benefits of this current administration that are visible in the APC governors’ robust commitment to drive development in their respective states, citing regular civil servants’ salary payments as proof of progress and a direct outcome of his government’s fiscal interventions.
The President, who underscored these steady and regular payouts as proof of his commitment to workers amid ongoing economic adjustments, said a renewed mandate in 2027 would bring more goodies to the table for workers, their families and every Nigerian going forward.
As expected, the administration’s most controversial reform, the petrol subsidy removal, took centre stage as a critical battleground issue for 2027 and the President stoutly defended policy the decision with the declaration that fuel subsidy is “gone for good” and likened returning to the multi-billion Naira intervention to reversing the biblical exodus.
He insisted Nigeria must move forward rather than return to a past plagued by corruption and invoice falsification, while dismissing calls by some opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, for its restoration if they win the presidency, as only self-serving.
The President pleaded with Nigerians to reject misleading claims by opposition parties, maintaining that: “Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel”.
In his remarks at the launch, the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani urged APC supporters to remain vigilant, alleging that opposition parties were increasingly deploying artificial intelligence (AI) in their campaign activities.
He challenged party members and supporters to always be watchful of political messaging circulated through digital platforms to avoid being misled by some mischievous elements.
The Campaign launch witnessed a powerful lineup of APC heavyweights who swarmed the Kaduna rally to project party unity ahead of the 2027 elections. In the line-up were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and First Lady Remi Tinubu.
The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda led the high-profile delegation alongside campaign Director-General Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Minister of Works Dave Umahi. A strong coalition of North-West governors also joined the stage, signaling a coordinated regional push to solidify the party’s northern stronghold.
Scenes at the event were that of ecstatic APC loyalists in their thousands who transformed the Ranchers Bees stadium in Kaduna into a sea of party colours, with many supporters clad in branded outfits, caps and party flags.
