Tinubu Blames Opposition for Hunger, Poverty, Unveils 81km Abuja-Kaduna Highway

President Bola Tinubu has accused opposition leaders of contributing to the hunger and poverty they now criticise his administration over, as he formally flagged off his campaign for the 2027 presidential election in Kaduna.

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at a rally held at Ranchers Bees Stadium, where he also symbolically inaugurated an 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway.

“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.

His comments appeared directed at opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) began its campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu defended his administration’s efforts to tackle poverty, citing investments in critical infrastructure and development projects across Kaduna State and the northern region.

He thanked Kaduna residents for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election and urged them to renew his mandate in 2027, arguing that his administration’s policies and projects deserved continued public support.

The rally attracted several prominent APC leaders, including Vice-President Kashim Shettima, the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu.

Also in attendance were former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, APC governors and other party stakeholders.

Speaking at the rally, Shettima called on Nigerians to support Tinubu for another term, arguing that continuity would strengthen national unity, democratic stability and economic development.

The Vice-President recalled Tinubu’s past support for northern presidential candidates, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, who won the 2015 and 2019 elections.

He also referenced Tinubu’s political relationships with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu, describing them as evidence of political loyalty and a commitment to national unity.

Shettima said Kaduna residents had made the right decision by supporting the APC in the previous election, urging them to maintain their backing for the party.

“We won the last election because you saw the best option before you,” he said, adding that the APC remained committed to improving the fortunes of Kaduna State.

In his welcome address, Governor Uba Sani commended the President for supporting state governments in implementing development programmes and pursuing their priorities.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between federal and state authorities in advancing infrastructure, agriculture and welfare initiatives.

The governor also acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to programmes targeting women, children and families.

Sani further urged APC supporters to guard against misinformation during the electioneering period, particularly misleading content circulated on social media and materials allegedly generated using artificial intelligence.

Similarly, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Abdulaziz Yari, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to mobilise voters for Tinubu’s re-election.

Yari praised the Kaduna State Government, party leaders and other stakeholders for organising the rally, describing their participation as evidence of the party’s commitment to its electoral 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.

Meanwhile, Minister of Works Dave Umahi highlighted infrastructure projects being executed by the Tinubu administration across the North-West and other parts of the country.

Umahi spoke during the virtual commissioning of Lot 1, covering 81 kilometres of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway.

The inauguration featured prominently in the APC’s campaign activities, with the party presenting infrastructure development and economic reforms as key elements of Tinubu’s record ahead of the 2027 presidential election.