Tinubu Defends Policies, Blames Atiku, Past Governments for Nigeria’s Economic Crisis
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his administration’s economic policies amid growing public concerns over hunger, inflation and the rising cost of living, blaming previous administrations for the economic difficulties currently confronting Nigerians.
Tinubu said his government was working to address economic problems inherited from previous administrations, including the government in which former Vice President Atiku Abubakar served, insisting that critics of his economic policies should consider the circumstances that led to the country’s present situation.
The President made the remarks on Saturday, November 7, 2026, during the Rainbow Coalition Presidential Campaign Rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Addressing supporters at the rally, 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 moral standing, arguing that individuals who lack integrity and ethical standards should not aspire to occupy public office.
“A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics has no business holding public office,” he added.
Tinubu Defends Pension and Gratuity Payments
Beyond his criticism of previous administrations, Tinubu also defended his government’s efforts to settle outstanding pension and gratuity obligations, alleging that successive governments had left substantial unpaid liabilities that his administration was now working to clear.
According to the President, the backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities runs into billions and trillions of naira, leaving many retired Nigerians and their families struggling to access 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 that 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 President’s remarks come amid persistent public concerns over inflation, rising food prices and the increasing cost of living, which continue to place significant financial pressure on households across Nigeria.
Fubara Promises Tinubu Three Million Votes in 2027
Tinubu’s visit to Rivers State was part of activities organised by the Rainbow Coalition to mobilise political support for his second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the rally, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara pledged that the President would receive no fewer than three million votes from the state in the forthcoming 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 the governor’s address, Tinubu stood up and embraced Fubara, patting him on the back in a moment captured on video at the campaign rally.
Tinubu Arrives in Rivers After Akwa Ibom Visit
The President 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.
Also Read: George Turnah Accuses Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri of Corruption, Poor Governance, Working Against Tinubu
On arrival in Rivers State, Tinubu 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.
The Port Harcourt rally forms part of the growing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Rainbow Coalition bringing together political interests from the APC and PDP in Rivers State in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
