2027 Politics Not on President Tinubu’s Mind Now — Presidency

The Presidency has clarified that President Bola Tinubu is focused on improving Nigeria’s economy and enhancing the lives of its citizens, rather than concerning himself with the upcoming 2027 general elections. This statement was made by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, who took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Friday to explain the President’s current priorities.

Dare emphasized that President Tinubu’s primary goal is to bring about long-term development, particularly economic growth, during his tenure. He stressed that Tinubu is not preoccupied with political competition but instead is committed to ensuring that the reforms he has initiated yield positive outcomes for the Nigerian people.

“The next election is not really in his view right now. He’s worried about the shared prosperity that he can bring to Nigerians. He is concerned about the reforms he has put in place and their impact on the economy,” Dare stated. He further pointed out several significant improvements in the economy, including a rise in foreign reserves, a reduction in inflation, a rise in exports, and a decrease in imports, alongside over $50 billion in investments attracted to the country. These developments, Dare explained, demonstrate the President’s commitment to stabilizing and growing the economy.

This clarification from the Presidency comes amid increasing political tension in Nigeria. Efforts are underway to form a coalition aimed at challenging President Tinubu in the 2027 elections. One of the notable developments has been former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s recent defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Despite this, Dare insisted that President Tinubu’s focus remains firmly on improving the country’s economic situation, rather than engaging in early electioneering.

During his interaction with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Friday, President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that, despite the difficult economic circumstances, there is hope for the country. He acknowledged that the decision to remove fuel subsidies upon assuming office in 2023 was a tough one, but one that was necessary to prevent the country from economic collapse. He further highlighted the positive developments that have followed, including increased competition in the petroleum sector, a bountiful harvest for farmers, lower commodity prices, and the inflow of investments into Nigeria.

“Removing the fuel subsidy was hard, tough for me, but it’s a hard choice that Nigeria must face. We are not going to bankrupt our country,” President Tinubu stated during the meeting. He assured Nigerians that his administration is committed to a government that listens to their needs and works toward long-term prosperity.

Dare concluded by emphasizing that President Tinubu is more focused on the results of his economic reforms and ensuring that, at the end of his first term, he can look back and say he has made a meaningful and positive difference in the lives of Nigerians.

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