Nigeria's Tinubu defends policies as he launches re-election bid

Thousands attending a rally by Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu as he formally launched his campaign for a second term in office. At the stadium in the northern city of Kaduna on Saturday, he defended his economic policies, promising Nigerians a better tomorrow. His All Progressives Congress, or APC party, emphasized that his painful economic reforms are beginning to pay off. The evidence is here. The evidence of projects we have completed all over the country. the evidence of ongoing projects, the evidence of your fairness, the evidence of your intention to take back our country. Your Excellency, you need more time. By 2031, we would have completed all the ongoing projects. The 74-year-old Tinubu faces a contest that's likely to be dominated by the economy and security ahead of the 16th of January elections. His economic reforms have improved public finances and investor sentiment, but have also fuelled the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. The second term, to keep a promise of prosperity, continuity and progress, development. Tinubu dismissed criticism of his economic policies, blaming hunger and poverty on opposition parties. His main challenges include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former State Governor Peter Obi, who finished second and third in 2023.