President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday dismissed politicians promising to restore the nation’s fuel subsidy as “liars,” while pledging to intensify the fight against insecurity during a campaign rally in Jigawa State.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally at Dutse Township Stadium, President Tinubu defended the removal of the subsidy, one of his administration’s most consequential and contested economic reforms.
He said restoring it would divert money needed for roads, education, agriculture and other public investments.
“To those who say subsidy is coming back, it’s a lie,” Tinubu told supporters.
“Don’t let them lie to you again. It is not going to come back.”
The President said opponents calling for the subsidy’s return could not credibly explain how they would fund infrastructure or maintain public services.
“How will you pay for those commitments? How will you repair the roads? How will you maintain them?” he said.
President Tinubu’s remarks came as his administration seeks to reassure Nigerians amid persistent violence and as it campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He pledged to strengthen the police and armed forces, improve their pay and welfare, and defeat what he described as enemies of Nigeria’s unity, stability and hope.
“We will conquer insecurity,” Tinubu said. “We have been through many wars. We will defeat our enemies.”
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President Bayo Onanuga in a statement said improved salaries for security personnel were already being implemented as part of a broader effort to bolster agencies responsible for protecting lives and property.
At the rally, President Tinubu also urged residents to share information on suspicious activity with security agencies.
The President presented the APC’s campaign manifesto, “From Reforms to Prosperity,” which he described as a plan to consolidate economic reforms, expand opportunity and deliver shared prosperity.
He pledged to complete existing infrastructure, health, agriculture and security programmes, saying the administration’s policies were beginning to produce results.
President Tinubu promised additional support for small-scale farmers, including interest-free loans, mechanization and irrigation.
“Prosperity is coming,” he said. “Food security will happen.”
Onanuga said before the rally, President Tinubu commissioned a skills-acquisition center and a technical-services center in Dutse, as well as a three-kilometer dualized road.
He also commissioned 400 tractors and other agricultural equipment acquired by the Jigawa State government to promote mechanized farming and improve food supply.
Tinubu thanked Jigawa residents for their support and urged them to vote for APC candidates at all levels in the coming elections.
Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi praised the president’s initiatives, citing the Greater Hadejia Water Project, the Katsina-Maradi rail line and federal investments in education, agriculture and social welfare.
Namadi said the water project was 60% complete and asked the federal government to help address ecological challenges in Dutse and Hadejia that he said had become too costly for the state to manage alone.[thenationonlineng]
Vice President Kashim Shettima in a remarks urged residents to continue backing Tinubu, recalling the President’s political support for former President Muhammadu Buhari’s victories in 2015 and 2019, as well as for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Nuhu Ribadu in earlier presidential campaigns.
Director-General of the APC presidential campaign council Senator Abdulaziz Yari said the party’s focus was economic consolidation and effective governance, challenging opponents to offer stronger policies rather than divisive politics.
Sokoto Governor Ahmed Aliyu, speaking for the Progressive Governors Forum, said President Tinubu had taken bold steps that had halted Nigeria’s movement toward “the precipice.”
The rally drew senior national officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, ministers and other political leaders.
