LAGOS, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027 will be anchored on his administration’s achievements rather than campaign promises, according to Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Independent Campaign Group (PBAT-ICG).
Olusi made the assertion at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, convened to galvanize support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said Tinubu’s record since assuming office in May 2023 would serve as the foundation for his re-election campaign.
Tinubu, who emerged as Nigeria’s president after the 2023 election, has faced challenges ranging from economic reforms to insecurity. His administration introduced policies aimed at stabilizing the economy, including fuel subsidy removal and currency reforms, while pledging to strengthen national security.
Olusi emphasized that the president’s performance in office would be the central message to voters. “This campaign will not be about promises. It will be about what has been delivered,” he said, urging party members to highlight Tinubu’s achievements in infrastructure, economic management, and governance.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor and one of the founding leaders of the APC, has long been regarded as a political strategist with significant influence in Nigeria’s democratic landscape. His presidency has been marked by bold but controversial reforms, sparking both praise and criticism across the country.
Reactions to Olusi’s remarks were swift. Members of the political class within the APC welcomed the strategy, saying it reflects confidence in Tinubu’s record. “Performance speaks louder than promises. Nigerians will judge him by what he has done,” one party chieftain said.
Opposition voices, however, were critical. Leaders of rival parties argued that Tinubu’s reforms have worsened hardship for ordinary Nigerians. “If the campaign is about performance, then Nigerians will remember the inflation, the fuel price hikes, and the struggles of the past three years,” an opposition spokesperson said.
Social commentators offered mixed views. Some praised the idea of running on achievements, noting that voters are tired of empty pledges. Others warned that the administration must show tangible improvements in people’s lives to make the message credible.
On social media, reactions were divided. Supporters hailed Tinubu as “a man of action” and “the president who delivers.” Critics countered with hashtags like #PromisesUnfulfilled and #Tinubu2027, questioning whether his record is strong enough to secure another mandate.
For many Nigerians, the debate underscores a larger question: whether performance in office can outweigh political rhetoric in a country where promises have often gone unmet.
