— Yari: North 100% Behind Tinubu in 2027
— NELFUND Benefits North-West More Than Other Regions — Uba Sani
By Jude Opara and Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
President Bola Tinubu has blamed his political opponents for the rising hunger and poverty in the country, promising that his administration will continue its efforts to eradicate both challenges.
Tinubu, who spoke in Kaduna at the formal flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign, said his administration had performed well enough to deserve re-election.
He thanked the people of Northern Nigeria for their support during the 2023 presidential election, adding that he had returned to the region to seek their renewed support in the 2027 general election, scheduled for January 16, 2027.
“I must thank you for your participation in the past elections. You gave me joy, and I will always remember the victory you gave me to become President. I have come again to thank you and seek your mandate for a second term to fulfil our promise of prosperity, continuity, progress and development.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger. Who created it? They did. They created hunger and poverty. We are trying to eradicate them. We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working, and I am proud of them. They are developing their states,” he said.
The President urged his supporters, particularly the youths, to remain committed to his administration as he pledged to fulfil his promise of prosperity if re-elected for a second term.
“You will not regret going to the polls. This is not a matter of anger either. Our opponents are angry because they have nothing to offer you but heckling.
“We have prosperity, consistency, growth, recovery and opportunity. I assure you of that.
“Thank you for this massive turnout. It is a promise. Come January 2027, on January 16, you must go out en masse to elect me again. APC all the way!” he said.
Tinubu also reiterated his position that the era of fuel subsidy had ended.
“What is past is past. Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies and no more smuggling. We are ushering in a new era under this President. I promise you once again a better tomorrow,” he said.
He commended state governors for their performance, saying he had observed the development strides recorded across their respective states, including the regular payment of workers’ salaries.
Yari Says North Is Solidly Behind Tinubu
The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has declared that Northern Nigeria is solidly behind President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Yari, who spoke at the formal flag-off of the APC presidential campaign in Kaduna, said Tinubu had demonstrated considerable commitment to the North, adding that the region was prepared to reciprocate his gesture by voting for him.
He also said the Tinubu administration had secured the support of farmers across the region, claiming that about two million of them had pledged to support the President.
Yari added that the decision to begin the campaign in Kaduna, in the North-West, was strategic.
“We are in Kaduna to begin the campaign, not by error but by design. This is a semblance of what to expect from the North-West in particular and the entire North in general.
“Yes, we were with the farmers to know what they need. About two million of them pledged their support for Tinubu, but those campaigning with AI will continue,” he said.
Yari praised Tinubu’s economic policies, claiming that the administration had improved the country’s economic fortunes since assuming office.
“We know how you have changed the fortunes of the country since you came to office. You stabilised the exchange rate. The reserve you met at N3.9 billion is today about N58 billion. Northern Nigeria is totally for you come January 16, 2027,” he said.
Uba Sani Highlights Tinubu’s Support for Kaduna
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, said Tinubu had demonstrated strong commitment to the people of the state, adding that their large turnout at the campaign event was a demonstration of appreciation for his administration.
Sani recalled that before Tinubu assumed office, insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, particularly Birnin Gwari, had become so severe that officials advised against visiting the area. He said Tinubu nevertheless visited the community.
“Tinubu has shown great love to Kaduna in the areas of health, education and security. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the state has benefited immensely.
“We are waiting for the promise keeper to continue with the good work he has been doing. The type of love you experienced from the airport was in response to your dedication in going to Birnin Gwari with 27 armoured vehicles.
“You fulfilled the promise of repairing the road to the area that had been abandoned for over 40 years.
“In 2023, eight local government areas of Kaduna were under the siege of insurgency, with several schools closed. You have addressed that challenge. You have mobilised contractors for the Zaria–Birnin Gwari Road, and we are grateful,” the governor said.
Sani further claimed that the North-West had benefited significantly from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), citing a figure of N84 billion and more than 400 beneficiaries.
“The North-West benefited N84 billion from NELFUND, with over 400 beneficiaries, mainly from poor families,” he said.
He also commended the Federal Government’s efforts to rehabilitate the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road, describing it as a major transport corridor linking several states in the North and serving as a gateway to the southern part of the country.
Sani further said the Tinubu administration had constructed more than 1,000 kilometres of roads in the North-East.
He challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to highlight his own achievements in the region, including in the North-East, where he hails from.
The governor added that no administration in Nigeria’s history had supported state governments as much as the current Federal Government.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of party flags to APC candidates contesting governorship elections in January, as well as the virtual commissioning of completed road projects across Northern Nigeria.
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