APC refutes claims Tinubu set three‑year deadline to eradicate poverty

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has come under renewed scrutiny after some commentators suggested he promised to eradicate poverty within three years of taking office. The All Progressives Congress (APC) has categorically denied that any such deadline was ever set. Party spokesperson Felix Morka told ARISE News and later appeared on Arise Television’s Morning Show to clarify that Tinubu’s campaign promises were broad development objectives, not time‑bound targets.

Morka explained that the president’s statements on poverty, hunger, job creation and economic growth were intended as progressive goals. He said no calendar or specific timeline was ever attached to the pledge to eliminate poverty, noting that even the world’s wealthiest nations have not achieved such an outcome in their post‑independence histories. The APC therefore urged Nigerians to evaluate the administration’s performance at the end of an eight‑year period rather than on an arbitrary three‑year benchmark.

Background

During the 2023 election campaign, Tinubu highlighted the need to tackle poverty and create one million jobs in the digital economy. However, according to Morka, the campaign rhetoric did not include a promise to eradicate poverty within the first month, 100 days, two years or three years of his tenure. The spokesperson stressed that campaign speeches are meant to set objectives that are “progressively realised” rather than immediate outcomes.

Morka also referenced Nigeria’s constitutional framework, which allows a president to serve a four‑year term with the possibility of re‑election for a second term. He argued that this structure provides sufficient time for a leader to understand national challenges, formulate policies and implement them over an extended period. The APC’s position is that the first term enables a president to lay the groundwork, while a second term, if granted by voters, offers an opportunity to build on those foundations.

Why it matters

The debate over Tinubu’s alleged timeline has implications for public perception of the government’s effectiveness. By rejecting the notion of a three‑year deadline, the APC seeks to shift the narrative from short‑term failures to long‑term development. The party contends that judging the administration solely on unmet promises ignores the broader economic challenges Nigeria faces, including inflation, unemployment and structural deficits.

If the public accepts the APC’s framing, the assessment of Tinubu’s record may be postponed until the conclusion of his first eight‑year term, potentially influencing voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 elections. Conversely, critics who maintain that the president failed to meet his promises could continue to pressure the administration, affecting its political capital and policy momentum.

What happens next

Morka stated that a full assessment should occur upon the completion of the eight-year term, at which point Nigerians would be able to gather and discuss the matter. No specific dates for a formal review were mentioned, but the APC’s emphasis on the constitutional provision for re‑election suggests that the party will continue to advocate for Tinubu’s bid for a second term as a means to complete its agenda.