President Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his moral credibility and blaming him for some of the economic challenges facing Nigeria. The President also appealed to voters in Rivers State to support his re-election bid ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Tinubu made the remarks during a campaign rally held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt at the weekend. He thanked the people of Rivers State for supporting him in the 2023 presidential election and commended the reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The rally, organised by the Wike-led Rainbow Coalition, attracted political leaders and supporters from Rivers State and other parts of the country. It also provided an opportunity for Tinubu to present his administration’s achievements and outline his vision for another term in office.
Defending his economic policies, the President said his administration was working to address financial obligations inherited from previous governments, including unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities.
He claimed that outstanding salary and pension liabilities in 27 of the country’s 36 states had been settled, bringing relief and greater financial security to affected beneficiaries.
However, Tinubu turned his attention to Atiku, accusing the former Vice President of being among those responsible for the economic difficulties his administration was now trying to overcome. He also questioned Atiku’s moral standing and suitability to occupy public office.
“A man without moral integrity, latitude, and ethics has no business holding public office,” the President declared.
Tinubu, however, did not provide evidence at the rally to support his allegation concerning the funding of Atiku’s university. The former Vice President’s response to the accusation was also not contained in the account.
The President also praised Fubara for his role in resolving the prolonged political disagreement with Wike, describing the governor’s approach to the reconciliation process as a sign of maturity and respect for political elders.
The reconciliation followed months of tension between the governor and his predecessor, a disagreement that had significantly shaped the political atmosphere in Rivers State.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who also addressed the rally, launched verbal attacks on opposition leaders, including Atiku and Peter Obi, while calling on voters across the South-South region to support Tinubu’s re-election.
Shettima described Atiku as “intellectually malnourished” over his economic proposals, while accusing Obi of struggling with “political irrelevance” and “mediocrity”.
The Vice President also defended the administration’s economic record, claiming that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen from about $3.9 billion to $60 billion within approximately three years. However, he did not provide a detailed breakdown to support the figures at the rally.
In his remarks, Governor Fubara pledged to secure at least three million votes for Tinubu in the forthcoming election, declaring his support for the Rainbow Coalition led by Wike.
He said members of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were now working together under the coalition to ensure Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
Fubara also thanked the President for his intervention during the political crisis in Rivers State, acknowledging his role in bringing the disagreement to an end.
Earlier, Wike described the large turnout at the rally as a clear indication of the support Tinubu enjoys in Rivers State. He also praised the President for appointing indigenes of the state to positions in his administration and supporting major federal infrastructure projects in the area.
Among the projects he highlighted were the Bonny-Bodo Road and the Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland, which he said reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of Rivers State.
Wike also took aim at former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of failing to account for $39 million allegedly allocated to the Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project, as well as funds earmarked for fumigation in the state.
No documentary evidence was presented to substantiate the allegations, while Amaechi’s response was not included in the account.
The rally highlighted the growing political alliance between Tinubu, Wike and Fubara, with the Rivers governor openly committing to mobilising support for the President’s re-election following the reconciliation between the two political leaders.
