President Bola Tinubu on Saturday formally began his campaign for a second term, asking Nigerians for a renewed mandate and promising sustained economic recovery, prosperity and development.
Tinubu made the appeal at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign at Ranchers Bees Stadium, also known as Kaduna Township Stadium, in Kaduna.
The rally opened the party's push for the 2027 general election, drawing leaders and supporters from across the country.
The president rejected opposition criticism of his handling of the economy and blamed earlier administrations for the hardship.
"I have an argument. I hear my opponent talking about hunger, poverty. Who created it? They did! They created the hunger, they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it," Tinubu said.
He defended his record on salary payments, praised governors for their performance and cited economic recovery and efforts to fight corruption and fuel smuggling as signs of his administration's commitment.
"We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working. I am proud of them. They are developing," he said.
Tinubu thanked Kaduna residents for backing him in the 2023 presidential election and said a new term would let his administration sustain ongoing reforms and development projects.
"You gave me joy to remember the victory you gave me to become president. I come again to thank you," he said.
He urged eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and take part in the 2027 election. He also addressed children at the rally, describing his administration's commitment to the country's future as a promise.
Works Minister David Umahi told the gathering that the Federal Government had completed more than 348 kilometres of roads in the North West, with a further 1,800 kilometres partially completed.
Ongoing federal road projects in the zone cover 4,083 kilometres, out of about 17,000 kilometres nationwide, he said.
Umahi singled out the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road, saying 81 kilometres of its 118-kilometre first section would be commissioned at the ceremony.
He said the first section was completed in 13 months, and more than 144 kilometres of the 164-kilometre second section is finished.
The remaining 20 kilometres are expected to be done by the end of November, he said.
Umahi added that Tinubu had directed the installation of solar streetlights along the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor.
He commended the president for funding the projects and Kaduna Gov. Uba Sani for helping to complete them.
The event also included the presentation of flags to the seven APC governorship candidates in the Northwest.
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