President Bola Tinubu has pledged to overcome the forces he described as enemies of Nigeria's unity and stability, addressing supporters at the APC presidential campaign rally in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State. Speaking on Tuesday, the President acknowledged the security concerns of his audience and urged citizens to work together, exchange information on insecurity threats, and report them immediately. He said the country had weathered many conflicts and would emerge victorious.
He also announced that the police and armed forces have been strengthened, with better salaries and improved housing and rewards for personnel regardless of their origin. Tinubu dismissed reports that fuel subsidy would be restored, calling such claims a lie.
On agriculture, the President promised interest-free loans for farmers, mechanised farming service centres to be installed at six geographical locations, and lower food prices. He said universities would increase research and development in agriculture and that Nigeria has the arable land, commitment, and people to achieve food security.
Tinubu pointed to ongoing road projects as evidence that no region had been left behind and defended his education financing strategy. He described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a powerful tool against poverty, noting that every sum recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from irregularities would now be directed to NELFUND to fund education.
The President also announced the commissioning of a skill development centre en route from the airport and congratulated Governor Umar Namadi. He presented the APC manifesto, outlining commitments including lives saved, a lower cost of living, reliable power, a stronger industrial base, support for small and medium businesses, wider job opportunities, quality health care, 20,000 additional teachers, health insurance expanded for over 23 million people, affordable homes, and secure lands.
Senator Abdul'aziz Yari, Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, earlier recalled how opponents had campaigned that Tinubu would not be welcomed in northern Nigeria. He praised the President's democratic credentials, saying Tinubu had interfaced with enemies of democracy and won them. Yari challenged so-called 'core northerners' to show they had supported Tinubu in winning councillor, local government chairman, or governorship positions.
Yari also recounted a request he made of the President in Saudi Arabia, asking him to pray for the success of the campaign team. The President reportedly responded that he was already successful because Allah was with them and they were here to pray.