A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have delivered on key campaign promises, making it nearly impossible for opposition parties to unseat him in the 2027 presidential election.
Omokri, who spoke in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, noted the APC’s growing political dominance and Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic indicators as evidence of the president’s success.
He argued that the opposition’s chances are even slimmer now that the APC controls about 30 governorships, compared to 2023 when it had around 20.
“If the opposition could not defeat Tinubu with about 20 governors in 2023, how are they going to be able to defeat him right now with 30 governors?
“If the opposition could not defeat the president when he has not fulfilled his campaign promises, how can they defeat him when he has fulfilled his campaign promises?” Omokri, who was recently appointed ambassador-designate, asked.
He highlighted international endorsement of Tinubu’s policies, noting recent comments from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Just last week, we saw that the IMF were on air, saying that right now they go about from country to country telling them that if you want reforms that work, learn from Nigeria,” he said.
On the economic front, Omokri cited gains since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
“By the time this president took office, our GDP was so low, we had gone from the first in Africa to about the fourth.
“Right now, we have the second-largest manufacturing capacity in Africa. We have added $67 billion to our GDP in two years,” he said.
Omokri argued that average Nigerians feel the positive impact of the president’s policies, claiming that “since Bola Tinubu became president, they (Nigerians) have never had to queue at the petrol station to get fuel. Fuel is readily available. Fuel is inexpensive.
“This is the first government that we’ve seen since the Yar’Adua government, where fuel has gone down in price multiple times. Not once, multiple times. So, in their pockets they are feeling it.
“Do not allow yourself to be moved by these people who go to the National Assembly to protest. Those are elites. They are trying to snatch power.
“The average Nigerian has seen his purchasing power increase. If you take 50 dollars right now in Nigeria, convert it to naira, what you buy from the markets you cannot buy in any West African country. Nigeria has significantly more purchasing power.”
The comments come amid preparations for the 2027 elections, where Tinubu’s incumbency and expanded APC control may shape the political landscape, as opposition parties consolidate efforts to challenge the ruling party.
Already, defections and realignments continue to bolster the ruling party in several states.
