The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, has sparked controversy after describing Nigerians complaining about hunger as lazy, insisting that food remains available in markets across the country.

Yari made the remarks on Friday, November 6, 2026, during the APC presidential campaign rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ejes Gist News reports that the former Zamfara State governor dismissed claims that Nigerians were experiencing hunger, arguing that the availability of food in markets meant the country was not facing a food shortage.

According to him, anyone who takes money to the market can purchase rice and other food commodities, making it unreasonable to claim that there is no food in Nigeria.

Also Read : NIN Validation Portal: How to Verify Your NIN Online, Access NIMC Services and Check Your Details

“Those who are saying we have hunger, let me ask a question here. Akwa Ibom people, from where I came from, we have food in the market. I don’t know about Akwa Ibom.

“Is there anybody who took his money to the market and found out there is no rice? Is there anybody with his money in his pocket who went to the market to get foodstuffs and discovered that there was no food?

“If there is no food in the market, that is when we are talking of hunger. But anyone who is not a lazy person will definitely have food on his table,” Yari said.

Nigerians Criticise Yari Over Hunger Comments

Yari’s remarks have attracted criticism, with Nigerians questioning his suggestion that people complaining about hunger are lazy.

Critics argue that the presence of food in markets does not mean ordinary Nigerians can afford to buy it, particularly amid concerns about rising food prices, declining purchasing power and the increasing cost of living.

Related Stories

They also contend that food availability and food affordability are two different issues, noting that households can struggle with hunger even when markets are adequately stocked.

Some critics have described the statement as evidence of a disconnect between political leaders and the economic difficulties facing many Nigerian households.

Yari Defends Tinubu’s Economic Policies

During the campaign rally, Yari defended President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the government had taken steps to address economic challenges through investments in infrastructure, agriculture, energy and small businesses.

The APC campaign director also challenged opposition politicians, particularly former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, over their criticisms of unemployment in the country.

He questioned what the previous administration, in which Atiku served as vice-president between 1999 and 2007, had done to address unemployment.

Yari maintained that the Tinubu administration had made efforts to tackle the country’s economic difficulties and urged Nigerians to consider its achievements.

The former Zamfara governor also asked Akwa Ibom residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that the APC was targeting at least 1.6 million votes from the state in the 2027 presidential election.

APC Campaign Council Targets 1.6 Million Votes in Akwa Ibom

Yari told supporters that the APC was seeking nothing less than 1.6 million votes from Akwa Ibom State, claiming that the state had approximately 2.3 million registered voters.

He also urged opposition parties to present alternative economic policies rather than concentrate on criticising the Tinubu administration.

Yari was appointed Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in August 2026 after President Tinubu constituted the party’s campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former governor currently represents Zamfara West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.