Tinubu blames opposition for hunger, poverty in Nigeria, Atiku kicks, says president delusional

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu blamed the opposition for causing hunger and poverty in Nigeria during the launch of his second-term campaign in Kaduna on Saturday. According to Premium Times, the president stated that the opposition caused these issues and that his administration is trying to eliminate them. SABC News reports that Tinubu sought to convince voters that his economic reforms are paying off despite a cost-of-living crisis, noting that his administration has scrapped fuel subsidies and devalued the naira.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, accused Tinubu of delusion for blaming opponents for economic hardship. Daily Post Nigeria reports that Atiku stated the hardship is real and cannot be denied by blaming others, noting that the naira depreciated from N471 to N1,329 per dollar under the current administration. Punch also reported that Atiku called the president delusional for his comments regarding hunger and poverty.

During the rally, Vice President Kashim Shettima defended Tinubu against claims that he does not support the North. Shettima stated that Tinubu has consistently identified with the region, citing his support for Atiku Abubakar, Nuhu Ribadu, and the late Muhammadu Buhari. Shettima also noted that Tinubu provided Atiku with a political platform to contest the presidency after he left the PDP in 2007.

Brief written by urgent.news from Premium Times, Daily Trust, Punch, SABC News, Daily Post Nigeria — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.