President Bola Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for Nigeria’s hunger and poverty challenges, insisting that his administration is working to address the economic difficulties facing citizens as he seeks re-election in 2027.
Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off at Kaduna Township Stadium in Kaduna State.
Addressing party supporters, the President challenged opposition figures who have criticised his administration over the rising cost of living and widespread economic hardship.
“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,” Tinubu said.
He also promised Nigerians prosperity if returned to office for a second term, particularly appealing to young people to support his re-election bid.
“To you, the children of our country, it’s a promise of second term prosperity; you will not regret it,” he said.
The President’s comments come as the economy and the impact of government reforms remain central issues in the political contest ahead of the 2027 general election.
Tinubu Defends Administration’s Economic Direction
At the rally, Tinubu defended his administration’s policies and argued that the government was laying the foundation for economic recovery, growth and greater opportunities.
He also praised APC governors for their performance, saying they were developing their states and paying workers’ salaries regularly.
The President urged supporters to mobilise voters for the ruling party and called on eligible Nigerians to ensure they had their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election.
He called for support for APC candidates at all levels of government, including the presidency, governorships, the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
Tinubu also maintained that his administration offered continuity, growth and economic opportunities, while accusing opposition politicians of failing to provide credible alternatives.
However, the President’s assertion that opposition politicians created Nigeria’s hunger and poverty represents his political assessment of the country’s economic challenges. The statement does not, by itself, establish responsibility for the causes of those challenges.
Poverty and Cost of Living Remain Major Concerns
The President’s remarks come amid continuing concerns about household welfare, food affordability and access to essential services.
A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative estimated that 113 million Nigerians experience overlapping deprivations in health, education and living standards.
TheDailyNewsHub reported on the findings in its coverage of the UN report on multidimensional poverty in Nigeria, which highlighted persistent inequalities in access to electricity, clean cooking fuel, education, healthcare and other basic necessities.
Although multidimensional poverty is different from income poverty, the findings illustrate the scale of the challenges facing millions of Nigerians.
The Tinubu administration has defended its economic reforms, including the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to foreign-exchange policy, as necessary measures to stabilise public finances and improve the economy over time.
Critics, however, have argued that the reforms have imposed substantial costs on households and businesses, particularly through higher transport and living expenses.
The debate over whether the reforms are delivering sufficient benefits to ordinary Nigerians is expected to remain a major issue in the 2027 election campaign.
APC Seeks Support for Tinubu’s Second Term
The Kaduna rally formally launched the APC’s presidential campaign for Tinubu’s re-election, bringing together party leaders, governors, elected officials and supporters.
The ruling party is seeking to build on its national political structure and persuade voters that continuity in government will deliver further economic progress.
Tinubu appealed to supporters to renew his mandate, promising a more prosperous future and urging them to vote for APC candidates across the country.
The opposition, meanwhile, is expected to make economic hardship, insecurity and the cost of living central to its challenge against the incumbent.
As campaigning gathers momentum, the competing claims over who bears responsibility for Nigeria’s economic difficulties—and which policies can deliver meaningful relief—are likely to feature prominently in the contest for the presidency.