Ignore Social Media, Nigerians Love Tinubu To Re-Elect Him – Information Minister

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to ignore social media reports, noting that Nigerians love President Tinubu enough to re-elect him.

Idris stated this on Saturday at the rally ground in Kaduna State, where he expressed confidence in Tinubu’s popularity and support for his administration’s reform agenda.

He described the large turnout at the rally as an indication of the president’s acceptance among Nigerians, particularly supporters who believe in his policies.

The turnout has been a subject of controversy, with many commentators, including Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), accusing the APC of spreading fake news by publishing artificial intelligence-generated pictures showing a mammoth crowd at the Ranchers Bees Stadium, which has a capacity of only 5,000 spectators.

No sooner had the rally started than the APC began publishing pictures showing a large crowd it claimed attended the rally.

Nigerians on social media quickly unearthed the original pictures, berating the APC for indulging in fake news.

The minister however urged Nigerians to look beyond social media reports and opposition criticism, insisting that the crowd at the rally demonstrated support for Tinubu.

“We have always been saying this: forget about all the social media news, forget about all the talk from the opposition. Asiwaju is loved by Nigerians,” Idris said.

He described Kaduna as a significant location for the campaign flag-off, noting its historical importance as the former capital of Northern Nigeria.

According to him, the presence of supporters from different political backgrounds demonstrated a willingness to unite behind Tinubu and his administration’s reform agenda.

Idris said Nigerians were increasingly recognising the potential benefits of the government’s policies and the prospects for economic recovery.

He said the country was facing challenges but expressed optimism that the administration’s reforms would eventually improve the nation’s economic conditions.

“There may be challenges at this moment, but we are moving away from that. We are consolidating on progress, and Nigeria is going to be better for it,” the minister said.

He said the administration remained committed to moving the country towards economic growth, improved living conditions and sustainable national development.

Idris described the atmosphere at the rally as encouraging for the president’s re-election campaign.

He said the administration’s vision was to achieve prosperity for Nigerians through policies intended to strengthen the economy and create development opportunities.

“We are excited; everybody is excited. All of us are moving in the direction of progress, in the direction of prosperity, like the President has promised every Nigerian,” he said.

The minister also challenged opposition parties to demonstrate their level of public support, arguing that the gathering reflected strong enthusiasm for Tinubu.

He dismissed criticisms of the president’s popularity, urging supporters to remain focused on the administration’s development agenda.

Idris expressed confidence that Nigerians would vote for Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

He said the president’s re-election would provide an opportunity to consolidate the ongoing reforms and pursue the administration’s promise of national prosperity.

“Nigeria will vote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the second time, and Nigeria is going to march towards the prosperity that the president has promised all Nigerians,” he said.

Also speaking at the rally, the spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council and Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr Dele Alake, described the gathering as an encouraging moment for the ruling party.

Alake said the enthusiasm displayed by the crowd indicated the level of mobilisation and support expected to shape the party’s campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“It is a very excited moment for most of us here. And I see the crowd here, lively. That is a pointer to what will happen in the next election,” he said.

He expressed confidence that Nigerians would support Tinubu’s re-election, describing him as a leader with the experience and determination to guide the country towards progress.

Alake said the president had demonstrated courage and vision by taking difficult decisions aimed at addressing longstanding economic challenges.

He said the reforms were necessary to reposition the country for sustainable development and establish a stronger foundation for future prosperity.

According to him, Tinubu’s commitment to implementing the reforms reflected his determination to leave a lasting legacy and put Nigeria on the right path.

“Now, it is the season for prosperity. Nigerians are beginning to see the results of those reforms, and they have been trickling in, and they will continue to trickle in,” Alake said.

He expressed optimism that the benefits of the reforms would continue to emerge, describing the country’s economic prospects as encouraging.

Alake said the rally provided an opportunity for supporters to unite behind Tinubu’s vision, adding that the administration’s policies were intended to move Nigeria towards greater prosperity and development. (NAN)