The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Nigerians will re-elect President Bola Tinubu despite the hunger and insecurity in Nigeria.

Mr Wike spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during a media chat.

He stated, “There is no election in Nigeria where the issue of hunger and insecurity won’t come up.

 “Even during Buhari election, Nigerians were talking about insecurity, hunger and others. I want people to be practical, not theoretical. These people that talk about hunger look up to people in every state, local government, community and ward.”

He added, “In my family and community today, who told you my community will go against me. In every family and community, people look up to others for food.”

The minister, who noted that average Nigerian voter is not independent-minded, boasted that Mr Tinubu would secure 25 per cent votes in the North in 2027.

“There is nowhere in the North that the President will not make 25%, there are so many places in the South that Atiku won’t have 10%.

“The culture of Nigerian politics is different from foreign countries where even your son is independent, where your wife is independent to do whatever he or she wants to do,” Mr Wike said.

The minister, however, acknowledged the hardship in the country, noting it takes time to address the challenges.

He added, “I am not saying that things are okay, but a fact is that a foundation has been laid, whether we agree or not. Solving an economic problem is not the same as praying for somebody who is sick. Solving social problems is not miraculous. It takes time. This is a country that is so battered. We have forgotten a conspiracy against Jonathan.”

Mr Wike’s statement amid criticisms by  commentators and opposition political that Mr Tinubu’s economic policies, especially subsidy removal, were responsible for the hunger in the country. 

Last Thursday, a preacher and executive director of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, George Ehusani, accused Mr Tinubu of creating worst hunger in the history of Nigeria.

“We have ended up here because of policies that are not well thought out. He put the cart before the horse. Because how do you remove subsidy when you had time to think before the removal. The kind of poverty and hunger we have seen in the last three years, I never saw since I was born. Never saw adult men begging on the road for basic foods,” Mr Ehusani.