“MY OPPONENTS CREATED HUNGER, POVERTY” — TINUBU SAYS AT CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF IN KADUNA

President Bola Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians, declaring that his opponents created the hardship they now accuse his administration of failing to address.

The Kaduna declaration was made on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off rally in Kaduna State, marking the formal commencement of his re-election bid for 2027, ValidViewNetwork reports .

THE DECLARATION

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Tinubu did not mince words as he addressed the crowd.

“Let me start with an argument that people are hungry, my opponents created it,” the President said ..He elaborated further: “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”.

The President promised that a second term would bring prosperity. “To you, the children of our country, it’s a promise of a second term – prosperity; you will not regret it,” he said .

He also accused his opponents of offering Nigerians hatred rather than solutions.

“Our opponents are angry because they are playing you. They have nothing to offer you but hate. We have prosperity, consistency, growth, recovery, and opportunity. I assure you,” Tinubu said .

He urged supporters to remain vigilant against opposition messaging. “Be careful. Watch them. Don’t let them lie to you,” he told the crowd .

THE SUBSIDY DEFENCE

On the removal of the petrol subsidy, Tinubu said the policy had helped curb corruption and invoice padding, contributing to efforts to revive the economy .

The President also called on Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate in the electoral process, stressing the importance of supporting the ruling party at all levels of government.

THE KADUNA CONTEXT

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who spoke at the event, thanked Tinubu for what he described as significant interventions under the Renewed Hope programme.

He said several projects were nearing completion in Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria.

Sani also challenged opposition presidential aspirants from the North to present their records on the region’s development.

“The North will repay you for your concern. They have now upgraded their campaigns from Facebook to AI. But we will not be deterred,” he said .

The Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee, Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna was deliberately chosen for the campaign flag-off because of its strategic importance.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima said the administration was fighting for the country’s survival despite the challenges facing it .

The event also featured the virtual commissioning of an 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria road by Tinubu .

WHY IT MATTERS

President Tinubu’s decision to open his campaign by blaming the opposition for hunger is a high-stakes political gamble.

For millions of Nigerians, the hardship is not abstract. Food prices have soared. Fuel costs remain high. The naira has depreciated.

The World Bank has estimated that 63 per cent of Nigerians will be below the national poverty line in 2026 .

Tinubu’s argument is that his opponents created these conditions and that his reforms are the solution.

Whether Nigerians accept that framing will determine the outcome of the 2027 election.

For now, the President has drawn a line. He is not apologising for the pain. He is blaming the people who point it out.The campaign has begun.

And the battle over who is responsible for Nigeria’s economic misery is now the central contest. ValidViewNetwork reports.