President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity across Nigeria, pledging improved welfare, better salaries and sustained support for members of the armed forces and police.
The President gave the assurance on Tuesday at the APC presidential campaign rally held at Dutse Township Stadium, Jigawa State, where he addressed a mammoth crowd of party supporters and residents.
PBAT said his administration was strengthening the country’s security institutions to enhance their capacity to protect lives and property, irrespective of the backgrounds of personnel serving in the security agencies.
“I promise you, we are working hard to ensure that Nigeria is safe and our forces are well taken care of, regardless of where they come from.
“We will conquer insecurity. We’ve been through many wars. We will defeat our enemies, enemies of unity, enemies of stability and enemies of hope. I assure you that we are working towards that,” the President said.
He added that the government was strengthening the police and armed forces while improving their remuneration and welfare.
“We’re strengthening the police; we’re strengthening the armed forces. We are paying better salaries today,” he stated.
The President also presented the APC campaign manifesto, titled From Reforms to Prosperity, outlining his administration’s achievements and proposed programmes in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, security and other critical sectors.
He said the manifesto provides a framework for consolidating ongoing economic reforms, expanding opportunities and delivering shared prosperity, while assuring Nigerians that existing programmes and projects would be completed.
Defending the removal of the petroleum subsidy, Tinubu maintained that the decision had created the financial space for critical infrastructure and development projects across the country’s geopolitical zones.
He challenged those advocating a return to the subsidy regime to explain how they intended to finance essential public services, infrastructure development and road maintenance.
“You have seen what we are doing. Across the country, no region is left behind. Those who think they should bring the subsidy back are liars.
“How will they pay for those commitments? How will you repair the roads? How will you maintain them? How will you function?” he queried.
On agriculture, the President promised additional support for small-scale farmers through access to financing, mechanisation and irrigation facilities, stressing that food security remained a priority of his administration.
“We will reward small-scale farmers. Interest-free loans for farmers are coming. Prosperity is coming. Food security will happen,” PBAT assured.
He thanked the people of Jigawa for their support and urged them to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections.
Earlier, President Tinubu commissioned the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-Purpose Skills Acquisition Centre and the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre in Dutse. He also virtually commissioned the three-kilometre dualised Old Police Station–Palace Road.
The President further commissioned 400 tractors and other agricultural equipment procured by the Jigawa State Government to promote mechanised farming and strengthen food production.
In his welcome address, Governor Umar Namadi commended the Federal Government’s interventions in Jigawa State, highlighting projects and programmes in water supply, transportation, education, agriculture and social welfare.
He disclosed that the Greater Hadejia Water Project had reached 60 per cent completion and also highlighted the Katsina–Maradi rail project and other federal initiatives benefiting the state.
The governor thanked President Tinubu for approving Federal Colleges of Education in Dutse and Hadejia, as well as the establishment of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), through which thousands of Jigawa students have benefited.
He also acknowledged the impact of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme on vulnerable households in the state.
Namadi particularly recalled President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the water shortage in Dutse, following a promise made during the 2023 campaign to the late Emir of Dutse, Dr Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi.
The governor, however, appealed for federal intervention to address ecological challenges affecting Dutse and Hadejia, noting that the scale of the problems had exceeded the capacity of the state government.
Also speaking, Vice President Kashim Shettima called on the people of Jigawa to sustain their support for the Tinubu administration, recalling the President’s political support for Northern leaders, including the late President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.
Shettima also referenced Tinubu’s past political support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Nuhu Ribadu, urging the people to reciprocate the relationships by supporting the APC in the 2027 elections.
The Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to national economic consolidation, quality leadership and improved living standards for Nigerians.
Yari challenged opposition parties to present alternative socioeconomic policies capable of addressing the country’s challenges rather than resorting to divisive politics.
Speaking on behalf of the Progressive Governors Forum, Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, recalled Tinubu’s longstanding political relationships with prominent Northern leaders and called for continued engagement with the President’s administration.
The Deputy Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, alongside the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari, also commended the administration’s programmes and urged party supporters to participate in the forthcoming elections.
Other dignitaries at the rally included Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, APC governors, ministers and other political leaders from across the country.