The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has defended President Bola Tinubu's speech at the party's presidential campaign rally in Kaduna. Morka appeared on Arise Television's The Morning Show, where he engaged in a heated exchange with co-host Rufai Oseni over the president's comments and the state of the Nigerian economy. The discussion centered on criticism of Tinubu's speech at the APC's presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna.
Morka described the Kaduna rally as a "spectacular success", primarily organized to bring together party leaders, members, supporters, and well-wishers to welcome Tinubu and formally launch his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to Morka, the president's presence and appeal for renewed support were sufficient to achieve the event's political objectives. He emphasized that the rally was a political gathering, not a policy summit or dialogue.
At the Kaduna rally, Tinubu accused opposition politicians of creating the hunger and poverty currently affecting Nigerians. He maintained that his administration was working to address the challenges. Tinubu also defended his administration's performance and appealed to Nigerians to support his bid for a second term in office. Morka insisted that the president's address was not expected to be policy-focused, as the event was not a policy summit.
Morka criticized what he characterized as attempts by opposition supporters within the media to dictate the interpretation of the president's campaign strategy. He reportedly described his critics as "opposition tribesmen dressed as journalists", heightening tension during the live broadcast. Oseni pressed Morka to address the country's economic situation, repeatedly challenging him to explain the state of the economy under Tinubu's administration.
The exchange underscored the disagreement over how Tinubu's campaign message should be assessed. Morka focused on the political purpose of the rally, while Oseni demanded answers on the administration's handling of economic hardship. The Kaduna event marked the formal launch of the APC's presidential campaign, with Tinubu seeking another term in 2027 amid public debate over his administration's economic policies.
The president's appeal for re-election and his assertion that the opposition was responsible for the country's hunger and poverty have placed the economic record of his administration at the center of the emerging political contest. Morka maintained that the president's appearance and appeal for support were enough to fulfill the rally's purpose. Oseni insisted that the political gathering did not remove the need to address concerns about the economy.
The discussion highlights the ongoing debate over Tinubu's economic policies and their impact on Nigerians. The APC spokesman and the Arise TV presenter presented differing views on the significance of the president's speech at the Kaduna rally. The 2027 presidential election is expected to be closely contested, with Tinubu's administration facing scrutiny over its handling of economic challenges.
Key points
- APC spokesperson Felix Morka defends President Tinubu's speech at Kaduna rally.
- Morka and Oseni engage in heated exchange over president's comments and economic situation.
- Tinubu's administration faces scrutiny over its handling of economic challenges ahead of 2027 presidential election.
