Tell Nigerians where you got money to build university – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to explain how he financed the establishment of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), accusing him of using his position in government to advance private interests.

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he also appealed to residents to support his bid for a second term in office.

The President questioned the source of funds used by Atiku to establish the university while serving as vice president, arguing that his former political rival should account for his financial activities during his time in government.

“Those people, talking of hunger, are clearly the mess they created. Atiku was one of them,” Tinubu said, responding to opposition criticism of his administration’s handling of the economy and the rising cost of living.

“Ask him how he built the university, while he was in office as vice president in charge of our economy. Who built the university for you? It’s your money. It’s your effort. A man without moral integrity, rectitude and ethics for the office,” he added.

Tinubu also defended his administration’s economic policies, insisting that the country was making progress despite the difficulties facing Nigerians.

According to him, 27 of the 36 states were unable to pay salaries when he assumed office, but his administration had taken steps to reverse the situation.

“When I took over, 27 out of 36 states were unable to pay salary. But ever since, we have reversed the decade. We are on the move for prosperity,” he said.

The President urged Rivers residents to renew the mandate they gave him and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 presidential election, saying their support had been important to his political journey.

“Rivers State, you have been good to me. In 2023, when I looked very helpless, you stood out to support me. Today again, I return here to say thank you. And seek your support for the second term,” he said.

He also commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his handling of the political crisis in the state, particularly his decision to embrace the peace process following intervention by the President.

Tinubu described Fubara as a committed democrat and thanked him for respecting the outcome of the intervention.

“I want to thank you specifically, for your maturity, understanding, respect for the wisdom of elders. When we intervened, you respected our position. You maintained peace. You are a committed democrat. Fubara, you will not regret what you have done,” the President said.

Tinubu equally praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as a hardworking development partner whose contributions to the administration had been commendable.

“He is already a development partner of a Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration. He is doing a wonderful job. Very, very hard working. A man with a mission,” he said.

The President further urged eligible Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the 2027 election as crucial to the future of the younger generation.

“This election is about you. It’s not all me. Your future depends on this election. It is left for you to use the weapon you have. And that weapon is the PVC. If you have not collected yours, please go ahead and collect it. Please. I beg you,” he told the crowd.

Shettima attacks Obi, appeals for support

Vice President Kashim Shettima also called on Rivers residents to support the Tinubu administration for another term, accusing opposition politicians of concentrating on attacking the President rather than acknowledging his achievements.

Shettima said some opposition figures were attempting to discredit Tinubu for political reasons.

“Political charlatans on the other side of the divide are making efforts to demonise President Tinubu instead of celebrating him,” he said.

The Vice President also criticised the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, accusing him of seeking political relevance through philosophical arguments.

According to Shettima, Obi had been “diligently philosophizing himself into political relevance.”

He urged Rivers voters to renew the mandate they gave the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in the last presidential election.

“We ask you to renew your mandate again, His Excellency President Tinubu,” he said.

Fubara promises Tinubu three million votes

In his remarks, Governor Fubara pledged that Rivers State would deliver three million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the President’s intervention in the political crisis that had threatened the stability of his administration.

The governor said Tinubu intervened at a critical moment and helped restore peace in the state.

“Mr President, when our state was at a crossroads, you intervened as a father and as a true statesman amidst intense political uncertainty. You did not look away. You reached out with a fatherly hand, called for peace and harmony, intervened directly and made personal sacrifices so our administration could remain standing and continue to deliver the dividend of democracy to the good people of Rivers State,” Fubara said.

He thanked the President on behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, adding that the state would stand behind his re-election campaign.

“Today, by the mercy of God Almighty and your fatherly intervention, Rivers State is peaceful. Let me, on behalf of the government and the people of Rivers State, say thank you.

“Thank you for standing with us during the most difficult moments.

“Rivers will give you three million votes. We will stand by you. We will work for you. We will deliver for you,” he assured.

Yari targets 2.3 million votes for Tinubu

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, announced a target of at least 2.3 million votes for Tinubu in Rivers State.

Yari said the party was optimistic about achieving the target through mobilisation efforts by Wike and other political leaders supporting the President in the state.

He based the projection on figures he gave for registered voters and PVC collection in Rivers.

“The message here, we are looking for at least nothing less than 2.3 million votes. Out of 3.3 million voters registered and about 2.8 million PVCs collected, we should be aiming at nothing less than 2.3 million,” he said.

“Rivers State is one of the states where we are expecting nothing less than 80 percent, by God’s grace,” the former Zamfara State governor added.

Yari also questioned the records of opposition politicians, mentioning Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi among those who had previously occupied positions of authority.

He argued that their records in government should form part of the assessment of their claims to offer Nigerians an alternative.

Wike cites 47 federal appointments, projects

Earlier, Wike, who coordinates the Rainbow Coalition and serves as Tinubu’s campaign coordinator in Rivers State, declared that the people of the state had resolved to support the President’s re-election bid.

Welcoming Tinubu and members of his delegation, the FCT minister said the turnout at the rally demonstrated the level of support the President enjoyed in Rivers.

Wike also argued that the Tinubu administration had given Rivers State greater political recognition than previous federal administrations since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

“Since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have no less than 47 political appointments from Mr President. So, who is our brother? Our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has identified with the people of Rivers State,” he said.

He also cited federal infrastructure projects, including the Bonny-Bodo Road, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the state.

Wike further referenced appointments given to Rivers indigenes across federal institutions, including the FCT, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission.

Akpabio, Yilwatda, Abe, Okowa express confidence in Tinubu

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed confidence that Rivers State would deliver significant support for Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Akpabio recalled that Rivers was the only state in the South-South geopolitical zone where Tinubu won convincingly in the 2023 presidential election, expressing optimism that the ruling party would repeat the performance.

APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also described the Tinubu-Shettima ticket as the best option for Nigeria at the moment and urged Rivers residents to sustain their support for the party.

Senator Magnus Abe, who spoke on behalf of Rivers political stakeholders, defended the Rainbow Coalition, a platform bringing together individuals and groups with different political interests in support of Tinubu’s re-election.

Abe expressed surprise that some APC members had criticised the coalition despite its stated commitment to securing another term for the President.

Former Delta State Governor and ex-vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, also declared support for Tinubu.

Okowa said his assessment of the administration had convinced him that Nigeria was moving in the right direction.

“I have seen the light. Today, we are on the right track because the President is laying a solid foundation,” he said.

APC candidate claims 70,000 attended rally

The APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, who delivered the vote of thanks, put the attendance at the rally at approximately 70,000.

He urged residents to continue supporting Tinubu, citing the Bonny-Bodo Road, other internal road projects and federal appointments given to Rivers indigenes as reasons for backing the President’s re-election bid.

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