KADUNA, Nigeria — Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu enjoys widespread support among Nigerians, urging the public and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to look beyond social media criticism and opposition attacks.
Idris made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during the flag-off of the APC’s presidential campaign for the 2027 general election in Kaduna, where he pointed to the turnout at the rally as evidence of support for Tinubu and his administration’s reform agenda.
The minister dismissed criticism of the President’s popularity, arguing that the gathering demonstrated that support for Tinubu extended beyond online political conversations.
“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 challenged opposition politicians to demonstrate a comparable level of mobilisation, questioning who among them could attract a crowd of similar size.
According to the minister, the rally reflected growing confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and the government’s economic reform programme, despite the difficulties confronting Nigerians.
Idris acknowledged that challenges remained but insisted that the country was moving towards progress and that the administration’s policies would eventually deliver better economic conditions.
“Yes, 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,” he said.
The minister also highlighted Kaduna’s political significance, describing the city as a strategic location in Northern Nigeria and the former capital of the region.
He argued that the presence of supporters from different political backgrounds demonstrated a willingness to unite behind Tinubu and his reform agenda.
Idris expressed confidence that the President would secure a second term in office in the 2027 presidential election, predicting that Nigerians would renew his mandate.
“Nigeria will vote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in for the second time, and Nigeria is going to march towards the prosperity that the President has promised all Nigerians,” he declared.
The Kaduna event marked the launch of the APC’s nationwide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election, with senior party officials, federal ministers, governors and other political stakeholders attending to demonstrate support for the President’s re-election bid.
Also speaking at the rally, Minister of Solid Minerals Development and APC presidential campaign spokesperson, Dele Alake, defended the administration’s economic reforms, describing the decisions taken by Tinubu as difficult but necessary steps towards addressing Nigeria’s longstanding economic challenges.
Alake said the crowd at the rally was encouraging for the ruling party and suggested that the enthusiasm displayed by supporters pointed to the scale of mobilisation the APC hoped to sustain ahead of the election.
He maintained that Nigerians were beginning to see the benefits of the administration’s reforms and expressed optimism that the improvements would continue.
“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.
The rally came amid continuing debate over the effects of Tinubu’s economic policies, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign-exchange regime. While the government has defended these measures as necessary for economic restructuring, their impact on household expenses and the cost of living remains a major subject of public discussion.
President Tinubu launched his re-election campaign in Kaduna as his administration seeks a second term. The President and his supporters have presented the reforms as essential to improving public finances and laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth, while critics continue to question their social costs and the pace at which ordinary Nigerians will experience meaningful relief.
The minister’s remarks also reignited the debate over whether social media commentary accurately reflects the political mood across the country. Although online platforms provide an important space for political discussion and criticism, the views expressed there do not necessarily represent the entire electorate. Equally, attendance at a party rally demonstrates mobilisation and enthusiasm among those present but cannot, by itself, establish the level of support among all Nigerian voters.
Idris nevertheless maintained that the Kaduna turnout offered a strong indication of Tinubu’s popularity and challenged opposition figures to match the ruling party’s mobilisation.
With the 2027 general election approaching, the APC is expected to intensify its campaign around the administration’s economic policies, infrastructure projects and development agenda, while opposition parties are likely to continue scrutinising the government’s record and presenting alternative approaches.
For the ruling party, the central task will be to translate campaign enthusiasm into broader electoral support. For voters, the debate will ultimately involve assessing the administration’s record, the effects of its policies on their daily lives and the competing promises presented by political parties.
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