President Bola Tinubu has hit back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other opposition leaders over their criticism of his administration’s handling of the economy, insisting that they were responsible for creating the hunger and poverty his government is seeking to eradicate.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off at the Kaduna Township Stadium in Kaduna State, where he solicited support for his re-election bid in 2027.
The President defended his administration’s economic policies, promising Nigerians prosperity, economic recovery and greater opportunities if given another term in office.
Reacting to opposition criticism of the rising cost of living, Tinubu accused his political rivals of creating the economic challenges they now blame his government for failing to resolve.
“I argue, I hear my opponent talking about hunger, poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger, they created the poverty, we are trying to eradicate it,” the President said.
Tinubu also praised APC governors for their performance, particularly in developing their respective states and ensuring the regular payment of workers’ salaries.
“We pay salaries regularly; our governors are working, and I am proud of them. They are developing. To you, the children of our country, it’s a promise of second-time prosperity. You will not regret going to the polls,” he added.
The President urged party supporters to mobilise voters ahead of the 2027 general election, asking them whether they had obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
He also dismissed the opposition as incapable of offering Nigerians a credible alternative, describing its criticism of his administration as evidence of frustration.
“Our opponents are angry because they are failures. They have nothing to offer you but heckling. We have prosperity, consistency, growth, recovery and opportunity,” Tinubu said.
Addressing concerns over the removal of the petrol subsidy, the President urged Nigerians to move beyond the policy, declaring that the era of subsidy payments was over.
“What is past is the past. Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption. No more falsification of invoices. No more lies. No more smuggling of wealth,” he said.
Tinubu further called on Nigerians to vote for APC candidates across all levels of government, including the presidency, governorships, Senate, House of Representatives and state Houses of Assembly.
He expressed gratitude to Nigerians for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election and appealed for a renewed mandate, promising a better future for young people.
“Our youth population, thank you. We promise you a better future, a better tomorrow,” the President added.
