Tinubu’s Jigawa rally signals growing support, says group

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House

The Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation has described the turnout that greeted President Bola Tinubu’s campaign visit to Jigawa State as a sign of growing grassroots support for his administration and re-election bid.

Speaking at the rally on Tuesday in Dutse, TMS Director of Special Duties, Dr Usman Elleman, said the enthusiasm shown by residents reflected increasing acceptance of the President’s economic policies despite the hardship that accompanied their introduction.

The President’s visit, his first working trip to Jigawa State since assuming office on May 29, 2023, featured the inauguration of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multi-Purpose Skills Acquisition Centre and the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre.

He also virtually inaugurated the three-kilometre dualised Old Police Station–Palace Road in Dutse and unveiled 400 tractors and other agricultural equipment before participating in political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A statement issued on Wednesday by Elleman, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH, said, “The rally was very beautiful. People came out in their numbers to show solidarity with the President and the governor.

“From what we saw, there is no doubt that President Tinubu enjoys enormous support in Jigawa State and across Northern Nigeria.”

He noted that TMS members, led nationally by Inuwa Abdullahi, who hails from Jigawa, participated actively in the mobilisation, displaying banners, billboards and other campaign materials across the state.

Elleman said the movement would intensify efforts to explain the rationale behind key policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy.

“We are telling Nigerians the facts about these policies. Some of the decisions may be painful, but they are aimed at putting the country on a sustainable path,” he stated.

• Plateau residents demand security, power as Tinubu visits
• My mother wanted me to get married – Flamingos captain Chidi
• Edo’ll get more federal projects, Shettima assures residents

Addressing supporters at the Dutse Township Stadium, Tinubu defended his economic reforms, insisting that the policies were beginning to yield results and gain wider acceptance.

“To those who say subsidy is coming back, it’s a lie. Don’t let them lie to you again. It is not going to come back,” the President declared.

He argued that the subsidy had consumed resources that should instead be channelled into infrastructure, agriculture, education and social development.

“We have to think about the future of our children. The money must be invested in areas that will create prosperity and opportunities for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

On agriculture, the President announced plans to expand support for farmers through interest-free loans and mechanised farming service centres across the six geopolitical zones.

“We have to invest in agriculture. There will be interest-free loans for farmers. Prosperity is coming. Food security will happen,” he added.

Tinubu also pledged further investments in electricity, skills acquisition, youth empowerment, job creation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who also spoke at the rally, highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects in the North, including the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Kano-Maradi railway and Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, urging residents to assess the administration on its development record.