President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the flag-off of his 2027 re-election campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accused opposition parties of creating hunger and poverty in Nigeria, insisting that his administration is working to address the economic challenges facing the country.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential campaign flag-off at the Kaduna Township Stadium, where he sought renewed support for a second term in office.
Addressing a crowd of APC supporters, the President expressed gratitude to Nigerians for electing him in 2023 and appealed for another mandate to continue his administration’s policies and programmes.
He promised prosperity, continuity and progress if re-elected, assuring supporters that they would not regret voting for him again.
“You gave me joy to remember the victory you gave me to become president. I come again to thank you for that, to seek your mandate for the second term, to keep a promise on prosperity, continuity and progress,” Tinubu said.
Responding to opposition criticism over hunger and poverty, the President challenged his political opponents, arguing that they were responsible for the problems they now accuse his administration of failing to resolve.
“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,” he stated.
Tinubu also commended APC governors for their performance, noting that salaries were being paid regularly and expressing confidence in the development efforts of his party’s state administrations.
He further assured Nigerian youths that a second term would provide opportunities for prosperity and progress.
TINUBU DEFENDS FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL
The removal of the petrol subsidy has remained a major issue in the build-up to the 2027 general election, with opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, promising to restore the subsidy if elected.
However, Tinubu defended his administration’s decision to end the policy, urging Nigerians not to be deceived by what he described as misleading promises from opposition politicians.
“Be careful; watch them. Don’t let them lie to you. What is past is in the past. Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” the President declared.
The subsidy removal has been one of the most consequential economic decisions of Tinubu’s administration, generating debate over its impact on government finances, fuel prices and the cost of living.
SHETTIMA HIGHLIGHTS TINUBU’S SUPPORT FOR NORTHERN LEADERS
Speaking at the campaign flag-off, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu for his longstanding political relationships with leaders from Northern Nigeria.
Shettima recalled Tinubu’s support for northern presidential candidates in previous election cycles, including Atiku Abubakar in 2007, Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 and 2019.
According to the Vice President, Tinubu had consistently demonstrated political solidarity with northern leaders.
Shettima cited Tinubu’s role in providing Atiku with political support and a platform to contest the presidency in 2007 after his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He also highlighted Tinubu’s backing of Ribadu in 2011 and Buhari in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections as evidence of his longstanding political engagement with the North.
UBA SANI RAISES CONCERNS OVER AI-DRIVEN CAMPAIGNS
The host governor, Uba Sani of Kaduna State, called on APC supporters to remain vigilant against what he described as evolving opposition campaign strategies, particularly the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
According to Sani, opposition parties had moved beyond traditional social media campaigns on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter and were increasingly adopting AI-related methods.
“The opposition have now upgraded their campaign from Facebook and Twitter to AI. I want to call the attention of our supporters to be very watchful, to be vigilant,” the governor said.
His comments highlighted concerns about the potential use of AI-generated content, manipulated images and misleading videos in political communication ahead of the 2027 elections.
APC LEADERS ATTEND CAMPAIGN FLAG-OFF
The campaign flag-off attracted several prominent APC leaders and government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, First Lady Remi Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator Abdulaziz Yari, who serves as Director-General of the campaign.
Governors from the North-West and other party stalwarts were also present at the event.
The Kaduna Township Stadium was filled with APC supporters dressed in party uniforms, wearing customised caps and waving party flags as they cheered the speakers.
The rally formed part of the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general election, with party leaders seeking to consolidate support across the country.
Economic hardship, fuel subsidy policy and the rising cost of living are expected to remain prominent issues in the political debate as Nigerians assess the policies and performance of the current administration.
For Tinubu and the APC, the campaign provides an opportunity to present their achievements, defend their policies and outline their plans for the country’s future as the 2027 election approaches.
By Newsday Newspaper