Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governors of Kaduna and Rivers States Nasir El-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi, as well as other opposition figures involved in the coalition against President Bola Tinubu, have reiterated their resolve to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027.
The trio spoke separately during a public lecture with the theme “Weaponisation of poverty as a means of underdevelopment: A case study of Nigeria,” to commemorate Amaechi’s 60th birthday, in Abuja on Saturday.
In his remarks during the event, Atiku noted that while growing up, he, like many others, knew Kano as one of the wealthiest northern cities with citizens catered to.
In his remarks during the event, Atiku noted that while growing up, he, like many others, knew Kano as one of the wealthiest northern cities with citizens catered to.
He said, “I never saw people sleeping outside or outside their shops because then, there were no bridges or flyovers. Recently, I saw people sleeping on the streets and under the bridges who were driven out by poverty.”
“There is a state agency in Kano responsible for taking care of such people and enlightening them, and they started doing their work. What happened? They were invited to Abuja and were told to stop.”
“That is why I said I wanted to amend the topic of today to add ‘State Weaponisation of Poverty.”
“This particular government is weaponising poverty. That is why we are in this alliance – to make sure we don’t allow them to continue to weaponise poverty.”
Speaking in a similar vein, the celebrant, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, explained that his refusal to support Bola Tinubu in 2023 was rooted in his knowledge that Tinubu didn’t have the capacity for the job.
