President Bola Tinubu has dismissed calls for a political realignment under the Rainbow Coalition promoted by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, urging Nigerians to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) across all elective positions in the January 16, 2027, general election.

 

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday during the formal flag-off of the APC presidential campaign in Kaduna State, where he defended his administration’s record, criticised opposition politicians and appealed to voters to support his bid for a second term.

 

The President’s call for a straight APC vote appeared to reinforce the position of APC governors amid political discussions surrounding Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, which has been associated with efforts to bring together political interests across party lines.

 

Tinubu Calls for Total Support for APC

Addressing the rally, Tinubu urged supporters to vote for him and other APC candidates, including governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and state lawmakers.

 

“Come January 2027, January 16, you must go out massively to elect me again. APC all the way. APC for our governors. APC for our senators. APC for our honourable members of the House of Representatives and all houses of assembly,” he said.

 

The President also asked supporters whether they had their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), encouraging them to participate in the election.

 

“Your prosperity is here. Your future is in your hands; the fingerprint will reflect it,” Tinubu told the crowd.

 

His message underscored the APC’s push to consolidate its political strength across the country ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party seeking renewed support for the President and its candidates at other levels of government.

 

Tinubu Blames Opposition for Hunger and Poverty

 

The President also rejected criticism of his administration over the economic hardship facing Nigerians, accusing opposition politicians of contributing to the problems they now blame on his government.

 

“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,” he said.

 

Tinubu maintained that his administration had made progress despite the economic challenges confronting the country, pointing to regular salary payments and the activities of APC governors.

 

“We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working. I am proud of them. They are developing,” he added.

 

He further described opposition criticism as a reflection of frustration among politicians who, in his view, had failed to offer Nigerians credible alternatives.

 

“This is not a matter of hunger; this is not a matter of anger either. Our opponents are angry because they are failures. They have nothing to offer you but heckling,” the President said.

 

Tinubu assured supporters that his administration would continue to pursue economic recovery, growth and opportunities if returned to office.

 

President Rejects Calls to Restore Fuel Subsidy

Tinubu also addressed the debate over petrol subsidy, dismissing proposals to restore the policy associated with his political opponents.

 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has promised to reverse the removal of the petrol subsidy if elected.

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Responding to the issue, Tinubu insisted that the subsidy regime belonged to the past, defending his administration’s decision to end it.

 

“Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption. No more falsification of invoices. No more lies. No more smuggling of wealth,” he said.

 

The removal of petrol subsidy has remained one of the most contentious economic decisions of Tinubu’s administration, with Nigerians continuing to grapple with the effects of higher transport costs and the rising prices of goods and services.

 

While the government has defended the policy as necessary for reducing public expenditure and tackling corruption, opposition figures have continued to question its impact on households and businesses.

 

Tinubu, however, maintained that his government was working towards a more prosperous future and urged voters to give it another opportunity to implement its policies.

 

Shettima Highlights APC Projects in Kaduna

Speaking at the rally, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the APC deserved another mandate, arguing that the party had fulfilled commitments made to Kaduna State.

 

Shettima explained that Kaduna was selected for the campaign flag-off because of what he described as the administration’s efforts to restore the state’s position as a major centre of learning.

 

“We have the courage to come to Kaduna State today because we have kept our promise and never reneged on it. First and foremost, we promised to restore the glory of Kaduna State as a national centre of learning,” he said.

 

The Vice President cited the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Kachia and the transition involving the Federal University of Education in Zaria as examples of the administration’s interventions in the education sector.

 

He also highlighted vocational training institutions in Rigachikun, Soba and Samaru Kataf, which he said had produced more than 4,000 graduates.

 

Shettima further referenced funding support through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), presenting the initiatives as evidence of the APC’s commitment to education and skills development.

 

According to him, the party had worked to protect the country’s interests and provide an alternative to what he described as the risks associated with opposition parties.

 

“What we have done is to fight for the survival of this nation. We won because you saw the options before you and knew, without a doubt, that the alternative was a calamity,” he said.

 

APC Begins Campaign Ahead of 2027 Election

The Kaduna rally marks the formal commencement of the APC’s presidential campaign ahead of the January 16, 2027, election.

 

Tinubu’s appeal for voters to support APC candidates across all levels of government comes amid political manoeuvring and discussions about possible alliances ahead of the polls.

 

His remarks on the Rainbow Coalition also highlight the importance of party unity and the contest for political influence as different interests position themselves for the election.

 

Although Tinubu expressed confidence in his administration’s record and promised further progress under a second term, the APC will face the challenge of convincing voters that its policies can deliver meaningful improvements in living standards.

 

Ultimately, the campaign is expected to focus on the economy, security, education, governance and the competing promises of the presidential candidates as Nigerians prepare to decide who will lead the country after the 2027 election.