2027: Tinubu deserves second term to consolidate reforms — Batified Obidients

A former Personal Assistant to the late Dr Doyin Okupe, former member of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), and now South-West Coordinator of Batified Obidients, Banwo Mayowa, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves a second term to consolidate ongoing reforms.

Mayowa stated this on Friday in Abuja in an address titled “2027: Look beyond politics, think about Nigeria’s future.”

He said that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, Nigerians should move beyond political rivalries and focus on which leadership offers the strongest pathway to economic stability and prosperity.

“My position is clear: Nigeria must not allow political differences to overshadow the long-term national interest. We must examine the evidence, appreciate the importance of difficult reforms, and consider whether the progress already initiated deserves the opportunity to be consolidated under the leadership that began it,” he said.

According to him, economic transformation requires difficult decisions, noting that President Tinubu, on assumption of office in May 2023, confronted the subsidy regime and foreign exchange distortions and embarked on reforms to improve public finances.

“These decisions have imposed considerable pressure on households and businesses, and the hardship experienced by Nigerians must never be dismissed. However, the difficulties associated with reform must be considered alongside the underlying problems the reforms were designed to address,” he said.

Mayowa said Nigeria should consolidate progress rather than restart its economic journey with every change of leadership.

“Continuity does not mean accepting every government decision without question. It means maintaining a clear development direction, correcting policy weaknesses, improving implementation, and ensuring that the sacrifices Nigerians have endured ultimately translate into measurable improvements,” he stated.

On the economy, he cited Nigeria’s reported GDP growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, compared to 4.23 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2025, and the Renewed Hope Development Plan for 2026-2030 as frameworks for longer-term ambitions.

He said the next phase must convert policy measures into local manufacturing, agricultural productivity, expanded exports and job creation.

On infrastructure, Mayowa said President Tinubu has identified road construction and rehabilitation, energy interventions and investment in critical sectors, noting that in May 2026 the President highlighted more than 2,700 kilometres of roads under construction.

“These commitments must translate into completed projects, durable roads, improved electricity supply, and measurable economic benefits,” he said.

On youth empowerment, he said young Nigerians need an economy that rewards talent and supports enterprise, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which the government reported in May 2026 had benefited over 1.5 million students.

He stressed the need for technical education, digital skills, vocational training and affordable credit for small businesses.

On food security, Mayowa acknowledged cost-of-living pressures but said the appropriate response is to accelerate measures to ensure reforms produce shared benefits.

“Agriculture must become a stronger pillar. Farmers need access to inputs, irrigation, mechanisation, financing, storage facilities and rural roads. The government must also strengthen targeted social protection,” he said.

He argued that the choice before Nigerians in 2027 should be about quality of leadership, credibility of policies and capacity to deliver, warning that changing leadership can bring policy uncertainty if major programmes are abandoned.

“For President Tinubu, the case for re-election rests on the opportunity to consolidate reforms, deepen infrastructure development, expand productive investment, create more employment and ensure benefits of growth reach a wider section of society,” he said.

Mayowa said his support for Tinubu is rooted in the conviction that Nigeria needs consistent economic direction and sustained infrastructure development.

“My political journey has reinforced my belief that political choices should be guided by national priorities rather than personal loyalty or political hostility. Democracy gives freedom to reconsider positions,” he said.

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He listed five priorities for the next phase: improving food affordability, accelerating infrastructure delivery, creating conditions for productive investment, improving access to education and entrepreneurial opportunities, and strengthening transparency and accountability.

“The next term must be about moving beyond reform announcements to stronger implementation, beyond economic adjustment to shared prosperity,” he added.

“For me, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the opportunity to consolidate the reforms his administration has initiated and accelerate delivery of prosperity to ordinary Nigerians,” Mayowa said.