In a spirited defence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Sokoto State Deputy Governor Muktar Shagari has brushed aside growing public anger over deepening hardship, declaring the president “politically unbeatable” ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Arise TV, Shagari praised Tinubu’s controversial fuel subsidy removal, insisting the policy was long overdue despite its role in pushing up living costs.
“For over 15 years, I’ve been against fuel subsidy because it was a scam — a pipeline for corruption.
“I give President Tinubu credit for the courage to remove it completely,” he said, accusing some critics of mourning lost privileges rather than caring about ordinary Nigerians.
On security, Shagari painted a rosier picture than many residents describe, claiming “kidnappings have dropped drastically” in Sokoto and along the Abuja–Kaduna highway. He also dismissed opposition hopes for 2027, warning:
“APC cannot produce a candidate that can beat Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In this climate, the man is politically unbeatable.”
The former PDP chieftain downplayed allegations of EFCC witch-hunts, arguing the anti-graft body has always faced such accusations under different governments. He also cited Tinubu’s public honour for the late Muhammadu Buhari as a key factor that, in his view, would cement APC’s electoral dominance.
Shagari’s remarks have sparked debate over whether political loyalty is blinding ruling party allies to the realities of Nigerians grappling with inflation, joblessness, and insecurity.
