2027: Tinubu asks Nigerians for four more years, blames past governments for hunger – THISAGE

President Bola Tinubu asked Nigerians on Saturday for four more years in office as he formally launched his campaign for re-election in 2027, blaming previous administrations for hunger and poverty that have become major issues in the emerging presidential contest.

Tinubu made the call at the presidential campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna, where party leaders sought to rally support across the North West for the president and the ruling party ahead of the general elections.

Thanking Nigerians for electing him in 2023, the President said a renewed mandate will enable his administration to consolidate ongoing economic reforms, infrastructure projects and development programs and ensure greater prosperity.

Tinubu also faced criticism from opposition parties over the economic hardships millions of Nigerians face, particularly the rising cost of living, hunger and poverty.

He blamed previous administrations for long-standing economic problems, arguing that his government inherited the challenges and is taking tough steps to address them.

The President cited regular payment of salaries, economic recovery and efforts to tackle corruption and fuel smuggling in areas where his administration had demonstrated commitment to rebuilding the economy.

He urged Nigerians to support the continuation of reforms beyond 2027, assuring them that his administration will remain committed to prosperity and development.

Tinubu also called on eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Card (PVC) and participate in the elections.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who also spoke at the campaign meeting, said the Tinubu administration deserves another term because of its investments in infrastructure, education, economic reforms and national unity.

Shettima thanked APC members and supporters for their loyalty, saying cooperation among ruling party leaders has helped the country overcome the economic difficulties it faces.

He highlighted several Federal Government interventions in Kaduna State, including the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia; Federal University of Education, Zaria; and vocational colleges across the state.

The Vice President also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline and major road and rail corridors among the projects and programs which he said demonstrate the administration’s commitment to the North.

Shettima urged Kaduna residents to renew the mandates of Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani, arguing that continuity would enable the Federal and Kaduna State governments to consolidate ongoing projects.

He also recalled Tinubu’s long-standing political relationship with Northern leaders, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the President’s political history demonstrated his commitment to the region.

In his welcome address, Governor Sani similarly urged Northern voters to support Tinubu for another term, citing federal interventions in transportation, education, healthcare, agriculture, security and human capital development.

Sani said the 123 kilometer Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road, which he said had been abandoned for more than 40 years, was being reconstructed following the intervention of the federal government.

According to him, improved security along the corridor has enabled the reopening of more than 300 schools and 150 primary health centers that were previously closed due to insecurity.

The governor also cited the ongoing reconstruction of the Zaria-Soba-Funtua road and the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which he said were about 95% completed.

Sani said the North West has received $84 billion through NELFund, benefiting approximately 414,000 students across the geopolitical zone.

He added that the federal government’s skill acquisition programs have expanded job training and economic opportunities for residents.

Sani urged Nigerians, especially voters in Northern Nigeria, to support Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the administration’s infrastructure and agricultural interventions warrant another term.

Earlier, the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, said Kaduna was deliberately chosen to host the presidential campaign flag due to its political importance.

Yari commended the APC governors, especially Sani, for their contribution in organizing the event.

He also accused opposition groups of using AI-generated content to spread disinformation ahead of the election, insisting that the contest should be decided based on performance and direct engagement with voters.

The former Zamfara governor said about two million farmers had pledged to support Tinubu’s re-election, adding that campaign officials were engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that the APC will retain the presidency in 2027, citing the infrastructure development, economic reforms and agricultural interventions undertaken by the Tinubu administration.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, meanwhile, used the election event to outline the federal government’s road projects in the North West.

Umahi said more than 348 kilometers of federal roads have been completed in the area, while about 1,800 kilometers have been partially completed.

According to him, ongoing federal road projects in the Northwest cover about 4,083 kilometers of the approximately 17,000 kilometers nationwide.

He highlighted the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, saying 81 kilometers of its first 118 kilometer section will be commissioned during the ceremony.

Umahi said the first section was completed within 13 months, while more than 144 kilometers of the 164-kilometer second section had been completed.

He said the remaining 20 kilometers should be completed by the end of November.

The Minister of Public Works added that Tinubu directed the installation of solar street lights along the 375 kilometer Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor.

The election campaign attracted APC governors, ministers, party leaders, political stakeholders and supporters from across the country and also featured the presentation of party flags to the seven APC governorship candidates in the North West.

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