“I’m Cleaning the Mess They Created”: Tinubu Fires Back at Critics Over Hunger

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has responded to criticism over hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria, declaring that his administration is cleaning up the mess created by previous governments.

Tinubu made the remarks on Saturday during the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Those people talking of hunger, I’m cleaning the mess they created. Atiku was one of them,” the President said, challenging former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to explain how he established a university while serving in government and overseeing the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, also pledged to mobilise at least three million votes for Tinubu.

Wike, who received the President upon his arrival at the stadium, assured him that Rivers State had already reached an agreement to support his re-election.

He declared that the state had concluded its political arrangements ahead of the January 16 election and would vote for Tinubu.

Governor Fubara, in his speech, announced the formation of a Rainbow Coalition involving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He pledged that the coalition, under Wike’s leadership, would deliver no fewer than three million votes for Tinubu.

Vice President Kashim Shettima also used the occasion to criticise former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, describing his eight-year administration as mediocre.

Shettima further questioned Obi’s record during his time as chairman of a Nigerian bank, claiming that the institution performed better after his departure.

Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, declared his support for Tinubu.

Okowa said he had changed political allegiance after becoming convinced that Tinubu’s policies and leadership represented the right direction for Nigeria.

He disclosed that he and Governor Fubara had crossed over to the APC to join hands with the President to build a new Nigeria.