Tinubu Promised Electricity Or Nigerians Should Vote Him Out In 2027! Where Is The Light, Where Are The Jobs? Kaduna Rally Puts President On The Spot
By Passman Akpos
KADUNA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing 12 critical questions over fuel subsidy removal, insecurity, electricity, poverty, unemployment and other economic challenges as the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to launch its 2027 presidential campaign in Kaduna.
The questions were raised by Mohammed Bello Doka in an opinion article titled “Renewed Lies: 12 Simple Questions Tinubu Must Answer in Kaduna Today,” dated October 23, 2026.
Doka argued that the campaign rally presents an opportunity for Nigerians, particularly residents of Kaduna and the wider North-West, to demand explanations about the implementation of promises made by Tinubu during his 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
The writer questioned whether the administration had delivered measurable improvements in the living conditions of Nigerians since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
He also challenged the president and the APC leadership to provide verifiable figures on government spending, job creation, infrastructure development and security interventions rather than making fresh campaign promises.
FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL: WHERE ARE THE SAVINGS?
One of the central issues raised by Doka concerns the removal of the petrol subsidy and the benefits Nigerians were promised in return.
During his inauguration on May 29, 2023, Tinubu declared that the subsidy could no longer be sustained, adding that the resources would be redirected towards infrastructure, education, healthcare and job creation.
However, Doka questioned the apparent contradiction between the government’s defence of subsidy removal and subsequent claims by some APC figures that there was no subsidy provision in the 2023 appropriation when Tinubu took office.
He challenged the administration to publish verifiable records showing how much had been saved through the policy and how the funds had been utilised.
The writer argued that Nigerians deserve a transparent account of the savings and the specific projects financed with the proceeds.
He asked: What measurable benefits have Nigerians received from subsidy removal, and where is the detailed record of the savings?
INSECURITY: QUESTIONS OVER NEGOTIATIONS WITH BANDITS
Doka also questioned the government’s approach to insecurity, particularly the handling of banditry and kidnapping across different regions of the country.
He cited the hardline position attributed to former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who had argued that the only repentant bandit was a dead bandit.
The writer contrasted that position with what he described as the government’s willingness to explore negotiations and amnesty arrangements with armed groups in parts of Northern Nigeria.
He questioned whether comparable approaches were being considered for security challenges elsewhere and demanded an explanation of the administration’s strategy for tackling kidnapping and killings.
Doka called on Tinubu to provide evidence of progress against insecurity since May 2023, including measures taken to protect communities and bring perpetrators to justice.
The question, according to the writer, is whether the government’s security policies are consistent, effective and accountable across the country.
ELECTRICITY: WILL TINUBU MEET HIS OWN 2027 TEST?
The country’s persistent electricity challenges featured prominently in Doka’s criticism.
He recalled Tinubu’s campaign-era challenge that Nigerians should not vote for him in 2027 if he failed to fix the country’s electricity problems.
Against that background, Doka asked whether electricity generation, grid stability and access to affordable power had improved sufficiently for the president to defend his record.
He also raised concerns about higher electricity tariffs and the financial pressure on households and businesses.
The writer argued that Nigerians need measurable evidence of improvements in electricity supply, rather than repeated assurances about reforms.
He challenged the administration to explain what it had achieved in the power sector and how those achievements had translated into better living conditions.
POVERTY IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
Doka questioned the administration’s response to multidimensional poverty, particularly in Northern Nigeria.
He cited the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index, which estimated that approximately 133 million Nigerians were multidimensionally poor.
The writer argued that the scale of poverty in Northern states makes the region an important test of the federal government’s social and economic policies.
He also referred to public statements by presidential spokespersons acknowledging the country’s poverty challenges.
Doka challenged Tinubu to explain what specific federal interventions had improved living conditions in the North-West since his inauguration.
He further questioned the administration’s calls for citizens to hold state governors accountable, asking what responsibility the Federal Government accepts for national economic conditions, security and the implementation of federal programmes.
AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRICES: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROMISE?
The writer revisited Tinubu’s December 12, 2022, campaign appearance in Kaduna, where the then-presidential candidate promised to establish a marketing board to provide farmers with better prices.
According to Doka, the promise was intended to improve agricultural production, protect farmers’ earnings and strengthen food security.
He questioned whether the proposed marketing arrangements had been implemented and demanded details of any price-support mechanisms established by the administration.
Doka also raised concerns about the sharp increase in food prices experienced by Nigerian households after the 2023 change of government.
He asked the president to identify the agricultural investments made in Kaduna and other North-Western states and explain how the government’s policies had helped farmers and consumers.
The writer maintained that food security promises should be assessed against verifiable improvements in production, market access and household purchasing power.
ONE MILLION DIGITAL JOBS: WHERE ARE THE FIGURES?
Youth unemployment and job creation formed another major part of Doka’s 12 questions.
He recalled Tinubu’s promise to create one million jobs in the digital economy, particularly for young Nigerians.
The writer demanded an official breakdown of the number of jobs created since May 29, 2023, including digital jobs and employment generated through other federal programmes.
He also asked the government to disclose how many beneficiaries were from Kaduna State and the wider North-West.
Doka argued that the administration should publish independently verifiable figures showing the number of jobs created, the programmes responsible and the locations of beneficiaries.
He further questioned the reliability of headline unemployment figures under Nigeria’s revised statistical methodology, arguing that official statistics should be accompanied by information that helps Nigerians understand the quality and sustainability of employment.
INDUSTRIALISATION: HOW MANY FACTORIES HAVE BEEN BUILT?
Doka also questioned the administration’s record on industrial development and the completion of major infrastructure projects.
He asked how many industries had been established, revived or refurbished across the North-West under Tinubu’s government.
The writer raised concerns about the operating costs faced by manufacturers, including expenditure on alternative energy, and the reported closure of businesses amid rising production costs.
He also demanded an update on the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline, a project expected to support gas supply and industrial development.
According to Doka, the administration should provide details of the project’s current status, completed sections, remaining work and expected benefits for businesses and communities.
He argued that industrialisation promises must be assessed against actual investments, functioning factories and sustainable employment.
SCHOOL ABDUCTIONS: QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE
The writer raised questions about the handling of school abductions, contrasting the government’s response to incidents involving children in Oyo State with its response to abductions in Borno State.
Doka asked whether the government had demonstrated comparable urgency, security mobilisation and presidential attention when children were abducted in different parts of the country.
He questioned whether regional considerations had influenced the government’s response and demanded clarity on the principles guiding rescue operations.
The article argued that the protection of schoolchildren should not depend on their geographical location.
However, assessing whether responses were comparable would require detailed evidence about the circumstances of each incident, the security operations deployed and the actions taken by the relevant authorities.
SUNDAY IGBOHO AND EL-RUFAI: QUESTIONS ABOUT CONSISTENCY
Doka also questioned what he described as differences in the government’s response to appeals by traditional rulers from different regions.
He referenced the case of Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho and compared it with issues surrounding former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The writer asked why appeals by Yoruba monarchs concerning Igboho’s status had received attention while, in his assessment, comparable concerns raised by Northern traditional rulers had not received the same consideration.
He challenged the administration to explain the legal and administrative principles guiding its decisions in politically and security-sensitive cases.
The questions raise broader issues about consistency in government decisions, the role of traditional institutions and the importance of applying the law fairly, irrespective of region or political affiliation.
HOLDING GOVERNORS ACCOUNTABLE: WHAT MECHANISMS SHOULD NIGERIANS USE?
Doka further challenged the Federal Government’s advice that Nigerians should hold their state governors accountable.
He argued that citizens need clear mechanisms for assessing government performance, particularly in areas where responsibilities overlap between federal and state authorities.
The writer asked whether the Federal Government would publish state-by-state performance data covering public spending, development projects, security interventions and the implementation of social programmes.
He also called for clarity on the constitutional, fiscal and oversight mechanisms available to citizens seeking accountability from elected officials.
According to Doka, asking Nigerians to hold their governors accountable should be accompanied by access to reliable information that enables citizens to evaluate public expenditure and development outcomes.
KADUNA CAMPAIGN PROMISES: WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE 2022?
The writer returned to Tinubu’s December 2022 campaign appearance in Kaduna, where he made commitments concerning job creation, agricultural marketing, security and the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline.
Doka argued that the forthcoming rally provides an opportunity to compare those commitments with the administration’s performance since taking office.
He challenged Tinubu to identify the promises that had been fulfilled, those still being implemented and those that had not been delivered.
He also asked what new assurances the president could offer Kaduna residents ahead of the 2027 election.
For Doka, the central issue is whether the administration can demonstrate concrete results from its previous commitments before making another set of campaign promises.
‘WOULD YOU TRUST THE PROMISES A SECOND TIME?’
In his final question, Doka invoked a saying attributed to Prophet Muhammad, cited in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, that a believer should not be stung twice from the same hole.
He used the saying to challenge Nigerians to assess the administration’s previous promises against its record before accepting new assurances.
The writer argued that the credibility of political promises depends on measurable results, transparency and the willingness of elected leaders to account for their decisions.
He maintained that the 2027 campaign should not be limited to speeches, rallies and political mobilisation but should also provide an opportunity for citizens to demand explanations about public policy and government performance.
CAMPAIGN RALLY PUTS GOVERNMENT’S RECORD UNDER SCRUTINY
Doka’s article comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 general election, with economic conditions, insecurity, electricity supply, employment and the cost of living expected to feature prominently in public debate.
His 12 questions focus on whether the Tinubu administration can demonstrate measurable progress in these areas and provide evidence supporting its policy claims.
The questions also touch on the responsibilities of state governments, the Federal Government’s constitutional obligations and the need for transparent public reporting.
The article does not, by itself, establish that the allegations and criticisms it contains are proven. The figures and claims cited would require verification against official records and other reliable evidence, while the administration’s responses would be necessary for a fuller assessment of its performance.
As the APC’s campaign activities gather momentum, the questions provide a framework for examining Tinubu’s previous commitments and the evidence available to support claims of progress.
For Doka, the central challenge is straightforward: Nigerians should be able to compare campaign promises with documented results.
Mohammed Bello Doka can be reached via bellodoka82@gmail.com.
Reporting note: This report is based on the opinion article supplied by Mohammed Bello Doka. Claims and statistics attributed to the writer should be independently verified, and responses from the Presidency and the APC should be sought for a balanced assessment
