President Bola Tinubu blamed his political rivals for Nigeria's hunger and poverty at an APC campaign rally in Kaduna. He used the launch of his bid for a new term to claim that his team was fixing the harm left by past leaders.
Rally accounts described huge crowds at Ranchers Bees Stadium, with fans filling nearby roads. Some had spent the night there. Music came from Dauda Kahutu Rarara, while Vice President Kashim Shettima joined the dancing. Quite a scene for the ruling party.
Tinubu defended his economic plans and praised APC governors for paying staff and carrying out local projects. He argued that his reforms would lead to more jobs and better living standards. He ruled out bringing back petrol subsidies, which he linked to graft, fake bills, and fuel smuggling.
Young Nigerians also got a pledge of more chances to work and thrive. The president thanked Kaduna voters for backing him in the past, then asked supporters about their voter cards. His message was to vote for APC candidates across all levels of government.
Campaign chief Abdulaziz Yari went further, claiming the North was 101% behind Tinubu. He said talks with chiefs, imams, governors, and other local leaders had gone well. Another claim was that roughly two million farmers had agreed to back the president after party teams met with them.
Yari accused rival parties of using AI to spread false claims about Tinubu, mainly over his farm policies. On the economy, he cited naira rates of nearly ₦1,800 and about ₦1,300 per US dollar as signs of progress. Those figures formed part of his campaign pitch.
The former Zamfara governor also praised work in health, schools, public aid, and roads. He said the APC had real results to show voters. Student support and cash grants for women and people in need were among the schemes he cited.
Works Minister David Umahi gave more details on road projects. His figures put completed roads in the North West at over 348 kilometers, with another 1,800 kilometers partly built. Nationwide, he said crews were working on 4,083 kilometers out of a planned 17,000.
For the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, Umahi said 81 kilometers of the first 118-kilometer stretch had been opened. Work on the next 164-kilometer stretch had passed 144 kilometers, with 20 left. Tinubu had also ordered solar lights for the full 375-kilometer route, he added.
APC chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda gave party flags to Uba Sani of Kaduna, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Nasir Idris of Kebbi. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara were also named.
Several top figures attended, among them First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Party chiefs, state governors, and lawmakers joined the gathering as well.
But the ADC had a very different take on the crowd. Its campaign spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed the stadium had empty seats despite efforts to bring in fans from several states. He alleged that some people got ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 each to attend. No proof of those payments was given in the account.
Ologbondiyan also alleged that some attendees voiced anger at the APC after leaving. His point was that a large rally did not prove broad public support. The ADC disputed the ruling party's account of the event's success.
Atiku Abubakar joined the criticism through his campaign aide, Phrank Shaibu. He accused Tinubu of blaming others rather than dealing with the cost of living. Atiku also took issue with the president opening part of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway from the stadium, arguing that a ceremony did not prove the road was finished.
Rally accounts described huge crowds at Ranchers Bees Stadium, with fans filling nearby roads. Some had spent the night there. Music came from Dauda Kahutu Rarara, while Vice President Kashim Shettima joined the dancing. Quite a scene for the ruling party.
Tinubu defended his economic plans and praised APC governors for paying staff and carrying out local projects. He argued that his reforms would lead to more jobs and better living standards. He ruled out bringing back petrol subsidies, which he linked to graft, fake bills, and fuel smuggling.
Young Nigerians also got a pledge of more chances to work and thrive. The president thanked Kaduna voters for backing him in the past, then asked supporters about their voter cards. His message was to vote for APC candidates across all levels of government.
Campaign chief Abdulaziz Yari went further, claiming the North was 101% behind Tinubu. He said talks with chiefs, imams, governors, and other local leaders had gone well. Another claim was that roughly two million farmers had agreed to back the president after party teams met with them.
Yari accused rival parties of using AI to spread false claims about Tinubu, mainly over his farm policies. On the economy, he cited naira rates of nearly ₦1,800 and about ₦1,300 per US dollar as signs of progress. Those figures formed part of his campaign pitch.
The former Zamfara governor also praised work in health, schools, public aid, and roads. He said the APC had real results to show voters. Student support and cash grants for women and people in need were among the schemes he cited.
Works Minister David Umahi gave more details on road projects. His figures put completed roads in the North West at over 348 kilometers, with another 1,800 kilometers partly built. Nationwide, he said crews were working on 4,083 kilometers out of a planned 17,000.
For the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, Umahi said 81 kilometers of the first 118-kilometer stretch had been opened. Work on the next 164-kilometer stretch had passed 144 kilometers, with 20 left. Tinubu had also ordered solar lights for the full 375-kilometer route, he added.
APC chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda gave party flags to Uba Sani of Kaduna, Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano, Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina, and Nasir Idris of Kebbi. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara were also named.
Several top figures attended, among them First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Hajiya Nana Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. Party chiefs, state governors, and lawmakers joined the gathering as well.
But the ADC had a very different take on the crowd. Its campaign spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed the stadium had empty seats despite efforts to bring in fans from several states. He alleged that some people got ₦50,000 to ₦100,000 each to attend. No proof of those payments was given in the account.
Ologbondiyan also alleged that some attendees voiced anger at the APC after leaving. His point was that a large rally did not prove broad public support. The ADC disputed the ruling party's account of the event's success.
Atiku Abubakar joined the criticism through his campaign aide, Phrank Shaibu. He accused Tinubu of blaming others rather than dealing with the cost of living. Atiku also took issue with the president opening part of the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway from the stadium, arguing that a ceremony did not prove the road was finished.
