Tinubu’s Jigawa Rally Signals Growing Northern Support, TMS Says as President Defends Economic Reforms
The Tinubu Movement for Sustainable Governance Foundation (TMS), popularly known as Tinubu Must Stay, has described the large turnout that greeted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign visit to Jigawa State as an indication of growing grassroots support for his administration and re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the rally in Dutse, TMS Director of Special Duties, Dr. Usman Baita Elleman, said the enthusiasm displayed by residents demonstrated what the movement considers increasing acceptance of the President’s economic policies despite the hardship and criticism that accompanied their introduction.
“The rally was very beautiful. People came out in their numbers to show solidarity with the President and the governor. From what we saw today, there is no doubt that President Tinubu enjoys enormous support in Jigawa State and across Northern Nigeria,” Elleman said.
He said members of TMS, led nationally by Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who hails from Jigawa State, participated prominently in the mobilisation, with the movement displaying banners, billboards and other campaign materials across the state.
Elleman said TMS would intensify its campaign to explain the rationale behind some of the administration’s most consequential policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy.
According to him, although the reforms have imposed short-term hardship, they were introduced to address structural economic problems and place public finances on a more sustainable footing.
“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 said.
He also cited the student loan programme and other interventions targeted at young Nigerians as initiatives the movement would highlight during its grassroots engagements.
Beyond conventional political mobilisation, Elleman said TMS had been organising sensitisation and empowerment programmes for small-scale entrepreneurs, combining political advocacy with community-level interventions.
He said the movement would sustain its public enlightenment and grassroots mobilisation as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tinubu Says Reforms Beginning to Gain Acceptance
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Addressing supporters at the Dutse Township Stadium, President Tinubu defended his administration’s economic reforms, arguing that the policies were beginning to produce results and gain wider public acceptance.
The President maintained that petrol subsidy removal was irreversible and rejected suggestions by political opponents that the subsidy regime could be restored sustainably.
“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,” Tinubu told supporters.
He argued that the subsidy had consumed substantial public resources that could instead be directed towards 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,” he said.
President Promises Mechanised Farming Centres, Interest-Free Loans
Turning to agriculture, Tinubu announced plans to expand government support for farmers through interest-free financing and mechanised farming service centres across the country’s 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 said.
The President also pledged further investments in electricity, skills acquisition, youth empowerment, job creation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
On security, he said the Federal Government was strengthening the operational capacity and welfare of security agencies to improve their ability to tackle criminality.
Tinubu also described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as an important instrument for expanding access to higher education and tackling poverty, pledging to broaden opportunities for young Nigerians.
Shettima Highlights Northern Infrastructure
Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who also addressed the rally, said ongoing investments in infrastructure and agriculture demonstrated the administration’s commitment to Northern Nigeria.
He cited projects including the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Kano-Maradi railway and Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, urging residents to assess the administration on its development record.
APC campaign officials similarly described the turnout as evidence of the party’s continued political strength in the North.
TMS members were visibly involved in mobilisation at the rally, which attracted supporters from Jigawa and beyond.
For the movement, the Dutse gathering forms part of a wider strategy combining support for Tinubu’s re-election with policy sensitisation, community engagement and economic empowerment as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
By PRNigeria
