President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic policies amid concerns over hunger and the rising cost of living.
The president blamed previous governments, including the administration in which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar served, for Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Tinubu said his government was working to address problems inherited from previous administrations, insisting that those criticising his handling of the economy should remember the circumstances that led to the current situation.
The President made the remarks on Saturday, November 7, at the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Campaign Rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking before supporters, Tinubu specifically criticised Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), questioning how he established a private university while serving as Vice President under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“When those people talk about hunger, remember that I am cleaning up the mess they created. Atiku was one of them. Ask him how he built a private university while in office as Vice President in charge of our economy. Who funded the university for him? It was your money, your effort!” Tinubu said.
The President further questioned Atiku’s integrity, arguing that individuals without moral standards should not aspire to occupy public offices.
“A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics has no business holding public office,” he added.
Tinubu also defended his administration’s efforts to address outstanding pension and gratuity payments, alleging that previous governments left substantial unpaid obligations that his government was now working to clear.
According to him, the backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities runs into billions and trillions of naira, leaving many retired Nigerians and their families struggling to receive their entitlements.
“The people who governed before us left unpaid pensions and gratuities running into billions and trillions of Naira. We are clearing that backlog so that every family is included and we can share in the prosperity,” the President said.
He maintained that his administration was making efforts to ensure retired workers across different professions received their pensions and gratuities without unnecessary delays.
“Today, a retired engineer is receiving their gratuity, a retired welder is receiving their pension, and a retired teacher is receiving theirs right on time,” he said.
The remarks came amid continued public concerns over inflation, food prices and the cost of living, which have placed considerable pressure on households across the country.
Tinubu’s appearance in Rivers State was part of activities organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise support for his second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rally also featured an address by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who pledged to deliver no fewer than three million votes for the President in the next general elections.
“Under the guidance and leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, we will deliver not less than three million votes for you,” Fubara told Tinubu.
The governor also announced that the political arrangement in Rivers State involved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) working together under the Rainbow Coalition.
“Let me also announce that in Rivers State, we are doing a Rainbow Coalition (APC and PDP),” he said.
Following Fubara’s speech, Tinubu stood up to embrace the governor, patting him on the back in a moment captured on video at the rally.
Tinubu arrived in Port Harcourt on Saturday after spending Friday in Akwa Ibom State, where he commissioned the Victor Attah International Airport and other projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
He was received at the Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo International Airport by Vice President Kashim Shettima, several South-South governors, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other senior government officials.