By Chesa Chesa
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday inaugurated an 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway and accused opposition leaders of creating the poverty and hunger they now use to criticise his administration.
Tinubu made the remarks at the flag-off of his 2027 presidential campaign at the Ranchers Bees Stadium in Kaduna, where he urged voters to renew his mandate in next year’s general election.
“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 leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The President’s statement also came against the backdrop of his administration’s efforts to address economic challenges through reforms and social interventions.
At the rally, Tinubu symbolically inaugurated the 81-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway through a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
He described Kaduna as a historically significant city and a centre of political leadership in northern Nigeria, saying his administration was committed to tackling poverty and investing in critical infrastructure.
Tinubu thanked the people of Kaduna State for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election and appealed for their votes in 2027, citing his administration’s investments in infrastructure and economic development in the state and across northern Nigeria.
The rally was attended by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda; Vice-President Kashim Shettima; First Lady Oluremi Tinubu; the wife of the Vice-President; 32 APC governors; former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu; former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; and other party leaders.
Speaking at the event, Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to national unity, democratic stability and economic development, urging Nigerians to support the government for continuity.
The Vice-President recalled Tinubu’s support for northern presidential candidates in previous elections, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, who won the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
He also cited Tinubu’s support for other northern political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu, describing the relationships as evidence of political loyalty, mutual respect and commitment to national unity.
