Monday, November 9, 2026 - President Bola Tinubu has challenged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to explain how he financed the establishment of his university while in office, accusing him of using public resources to advance private interests.
Tinubu made the allegation at an All Progressives Congress
(APC) presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State. He urged residents to renew the mandate they gave him
and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2023 as he seeks a second term in the
January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Responding to opposition criticism over the rising cost of
living, Tinubu argued that some of those blaming his administration for
economic hardship had contributed to the problems it inherited. “Those people,
talking of hunger, are clearly the mess they created. Atiku was one of them,”
he said.
“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.” Tinubu defended his administration’s
economic policies, saying 27 of Nigeria’s 36 states had been unable to pay
salaries when he took office and that his government had since improved the
situation.
The president also thanked Rivers State Governor Siminalayi
Fubara for his handling of the political crisis that had threatened the
stability of the state government. “When we intervened, you respected our
position. You maintained peace. You are a committed democrat. Fubara, you will
not regret what you have done,” Tinubu said.
Recalling the support he received from Rivers voters in
2023, Tinubu said: “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.”
Shettima also asked Rivers voters to back the ticket for
another term. He accused opposition politicians of trying to discredit Tinubu
for political gain and took aim at Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress
presidential candidate, saying Obi had been “diligently philosophizing himself
into political relevance”.
Fubara, in turn, credited Tinubu with helping restore peace
in Rivers. He said the president had intervened directly during the political
crisis and made personal sacrifices that allowed the state administration to
continue governing.
“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,” Fubara said. “Rivers will give you
three million votes. We will stand by you. We will work for you. We will
deliver for you.”
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