By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State, Alhaji Musa Shuaibu Muhammad Guri, has described former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s promise to restore fuel subsidy as a politically motivated attempt to mislead Nigerians.
Guri, who coordinates the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umar Namadi in Jigawa State and chairs the Renew Hope for Asiwaju 2027 support group, said Nigerians should judge political leaders by their records and not campaign promises.
Speaking to journalists in his office in Dutse after a meeting with members of the support group, Guri said the meeting focused on the challenges facing Nigerians, particularly the rising cost of living, as well as ways of communicating the policies and achievements of the Tinubu administration.
He said President Tinubu assumed office with a determination to undertake difficult reforms, arguing that such reforms could come with temporary hardships before their benefits became evident.
According to him, Nigerians were already beginning to see the impact of some of the administration’s policies, while the government continued to address challenges inherited from previous administrations.
Subsidy Removal
Guri said the removal of fuel subsidy had been a major subject of public debate because of its impact on the cost of living.
He, however, criticised Atiku’s recent promise to restore the subsidy if elected president, describing the position as inconsistent with his previous statements during the 2023 presidential campaign.
“Those of us in the APC have been taught to respect and value the people. We respect Atiku Abubakar, but he should understand that his position on fuel subsidy is misleading Nigerians,” Guri said.
He argued that Atiku had previously supported the removal of fuel subsidy, adding that his current position appeared to be driven by political considerations.
“People should understand that this is politics. Atiku is making these statements to achieve a political objective, not necessarily because he wants to improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Guri also challenged the former vice president to explain his achievements during his tenure under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, particularly in addressing Nigeria’s electricity challenges.
He urged Nigerians to assess political leaders based on their records in office rather than promises made during election campaigns.
Infrastructure and Transportation
The APC chieftain also highlighted infrastructure projects under the Tinubu administration, particularly in the areas of roads and rail transportation.
He cited ongoing and proposed railway projects intended to connect communities across northern Nigeria and facilitate trade and movement of people and goods.
According to him, railway development linking Kaduna with parts of the North, including Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, and extending towards Maradi in Niger Republic, would create new economic opportunities.
He also mentioned plans for a railway connection from Kano through Dutse, Yobe and Borno, with a possible link to the wider rail network towards Chad.
Guri said the projects, if completed, would stimulate economic activity and improve transportation across the region.
Agricultural Development
On agriculture, Guri said the Federal Government had taken steps to increase mechanised farming and support farmers across the country.
He said Jigawa State had received 100 tractors from the Federal Government, while Governor Umar Namadi had procured another 100 tractors for farmers in the state.
“Jigawa received 100 tractors, and Governor Umar Namadi purchased another 100, bringing the total to 200 tractors. These will be distributed to farmers to improve agricultural production across the state,” he said.
Guri also commended efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market, saying the naira had recorded periods of improvement against the dollar compared with the severe volatility witnessed previously.
Security
On insecurity, Guri rejected claims that the security challenges confronting parts of the country should be attributed solely to the Tinubu administration.
He recalled that, before the APC came to power, Boko Haram insurgents had taken control of several local government areas in Borno State, limiting the ability of government authorities to exercise effective control.
He said those areas had subsequently been recovered, describing the restoration of government control as an important achievement.
Guri, however, urged President Tinubu to intensify efforts to consolidate peace and security across the country.
He also argued that improved federal revenue had strengthened the ability of state and local governments to meet their financial obligations, including the payment of workers’ salaries and the implementation of development projects.
Namadi’s Development Agenda in Jigawa
Guri also praised Governor Umar Namadi for what he described as significant development achievements across Jigawa State.
He said the administration had constructed 47 roads across the state, linking communities that previously faced poor road networks.
According to him, the projects had improved access to rural communities and eased the movement of people and agricultural produce.
He also highlighted efforts to tackle erosion, particularly in Dutse, where erosion has remained a longstanding challenge.
In the education sector, Guri said the state government had constructed schools and recruited teachers to improve the learning environment.
He said pupils in some communities were no longer compelled to study under trees because of the provision of classroom facilities.
Guri further credited the governor with attracting federal institutions to the state, including police training institutions in Gwaram and Kafin Hausa Local Government Areas.
He described the developments as important investments that could create employment and other opportunities for young people in Jigawa.
Scholarships and Social Support
Guri said the Federal Government had also introduced scholarship and social-support programmes targeted at students and vulnerable Nigerians.
He noted that several students from Jigawa State had benefited from the initiatives, which he said were helping to reduce the financial burden on families.
He urged Nigerians to support the APC and the Tinubu administration, arguing that continuity would give ongoing reforms and development projects more time to produce tangible results.
Renew Hope Initiative
Guri disclosed that the Renew Hope initiative under the Tinubu administration would introduce additional programmes aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.
He said about 1,000 people had already been registered in Jigawa State to benefit from the programme through the President’s Renew Hope office.
He urged residents to remain optimistic and take advantage of government programmes designed to improve their livelihoods.
Guri expressed confidence that the APC would perform strongly in the 2027 elections, particularly in Jigawa State.
He said Governor Namadi remained popular because of what he described as visible development projects and government interventions across the state.
“Once you mention Umar Namadi in Jigawa politics, you are talking about someone whose administration has touched the lives of the people. The people can see the projects and the impact of the support coming from the Federal Government,” he said.
Guri called on Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu and Governor Namadi while urging the Federal Government to do more to strengthen security, tackle economic hardship and improve the living conditions of citizens.
