President Bola Tinubu has blamed opposition politicians for the hunger and poverty confronting Nigerians, accusing them of causing the economic hardship they now use to criticise his administration.
Tinubu made the claim on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off at Ranchers Bees Stadium, also known as Kaduna Township Stadium, as the ruling party began mobilisation for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing supporters at the rally, the president challenged opposition politicians over their criticism of rising living costs, insisting that they were responsible for the hunger and poverty they were highlighting.
“I have heard the opposition talking about hunger and poverty. Who caused them? They did! They caused hunger and poverty. We are trying to eliminate them,” Tinubu said.
The president also defended his administration’s removal of the petrol subsidy, urging Nigerians not to be misled by opposition politicians campaigning against the policy.
He insisted that the country would not return to the previous subsidy regime, arguing that it had encouraged corruption, fraudulent invoicing and fuel smuggling.
“Be careful; watch them. Don’t let them lie to you. What is past is in the past,” he told the crowd.
“Fuel subsidy is in our past: no more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies, no more smuggling of fuel,” he added.
Tinubu’s remarks come amid persistent concerns over food prices, inflation and the cost of transportation, with many households struggling with the effects of the rising cost of living.
The removal of the petrol subsidy, alongside other economic reforms introduced by the administration, has remained a major source of public debate, with opposition politicians repeatedly criticising the government over the impact on ordinary Nigerians.
The president’s decision to blame the opposition for hunger and poverty is likely to intensify political debate as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
Kehinde Ayanboade
Kehinde Ayanboade is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Naija Metro News, with over eight years of experience covering Nigerian politics, crime, legislative proceedings and metropolitan affairs.
