Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms have fulfilled key campaign promises, insisting that opposition parties stand little chance of defeating him in the 2027 presidential election.
Omokri made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he pointed to what he described as growing political strength within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and improving economic indicators as evidence of the President’s performance.
According to him, the ruling party’s expanding control across the states significantly strengthens Tinubu’s re-election prospects. He noted that the APC now controls about 30 governorships, compared to roughly 20 ahead of the 2023 election.
“If the opposition could not defeat Tinubu with about 20 governors in 2023, how are they going to defeat him now with 30 governors?” Omokri asked.
“If they could not defeat him when he had not yet fulfilled his campaign promises, how can they defeat him now that he has?”
Omokri, who was recently named ambassador-designate, also referenced what he described as international validation of Tinubu’s economic policies. He cited recent remarks by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), claiming the global financial institution had highlighted Nigeria’s reform efforts as a model for other countries.
“Just last week, we saw IMF officials saying that if countries want reforms that work, they should learn from Nigeria,” he said.
Economic Gains Since 2023
Speaking on the economy, Omokri argued that Nigeria has recorded measurable progress since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. He claimed the country has improved its standing on the continent and strengthened its manufacturing capacity.
“By the time this president took office, Nigeria had dropped from the largest economy in Africa to about fourth position,” he said. “Now we have the second-largest manufacturing capacity in Africa and have added about $67 billion to our GDP within two years.”
He further maintained that ordinary Nigerians are beginning to feel the impact of the administration’s policies, particularly in the energy sector.
“Since Bola Tinubu became president, Nigerians have not had to queue endlessly at petrol stations. Fuel is readily available,” he said, adding that fuel prices have been reduced multiple times under the current administration.
“This is the first government since the Yar’Adua era where fuel prices have come down more than once. People are feeling it in their pockets.”
Omokri dismissed protests by opposition figures and activists, describing them as politically motivated actions by elites seeking power.
“Do not allow yourself to be moved by those who go to the National Assembly to protest. Those are elites trying to snatch power,” he said.
He also argued that Nigeria’s purchasing power compares favourably within the West African region, claiming that the value of the naira allows consumers to buy more locally than in neighbouring countries.
Omokri’s comments come as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape. With defections and realignments strengthening the APC in several states, the ruling party’s growing influence could play a significant role in the next presidential contest.
While opposition parties are expected to consolidate efforts to challenge the APC, Omokri insists that Tinubu’s incumbency advantage, combined with what he described as fulfilled campaign promises and economic progress, places the President in a strong position heading into the next election cycle.
Advertisement
