2027 Presidency: Ex-PDP Candidate Makes Fresh Case For Tinubu’s Re-Election

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State and Convener of the Oluyede Progressive Alliance for Renewed Hope Agenda (OPARHA), Dr Oluwole Olumayokun Oluyede, has urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 presidential election based on performance, continuity and national development rather than political sentiment.

Oluyede, in a statement issued on Sunday, called on citizens to carefully assess the policies, economic reforms, infrastructure projects and other initiatives of President Bola Tinubu’s administration before deciding whether to support the President for a second term.

According to Oluyede, Nigeria should not repeatedly abandon long-term policies and projects whenever a new political cycle approaches, stressing that major economic and infrastructure reforms require sufficient time to produce sustainable results.

He argued that the central question ahead of the 2027 election should be whether Nigeria is moving in the right direction and whether the foundation being laid by the present administration deserves to be strengthened.

Oluyede acknowledged that some of Tinubu’s economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, had created significant short-term difficulties for Nigerians. However, he maintained that the challenges should be considered alongside the intended objectives and emerging impact of the reforms.

He noted that the reforms had been credited with improving government finances, strengthening foreign reserves and restoring investor confidence, while also acknowledging that rising living costs remained a major concern for households.

The former Ekiti governorship candidate stressed that the government must ensure that the gains from its reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He said the appropriate approach was to address shortcomings, strengthen policies that were yielding results and consolidate ongoing programmes rather than abandon the reform process altogether.

Oluyede also highlighted infrastructure development as one of the areas where he believes the Tinubu administration has demonstrated long-term ambition. He cited projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and East-West Road as strategic projects capable of transforming economic activities across the country.

According to him, such projects should be viewed beyond the construction of roads, as improved transportation networks can connect farmers to markets, manufacturers to consumers and communities to broader economic opportunities.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to strengthen maintenance systems, ensure greater transparency in project execution and enforce construction standards to guarantee value for money.

Oluyede further called for greater attention to job creation, food security, affordable healthcare, education, electricity, transportation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

He maintained that increased government revenue and improved investor confidence would only become meaningful when they result in better public services, stronger household incomes and wider economic opportunities.

The political figure stressed that continuity should not be interpreted as unconditional support for the administration, but rather as an opportunity to complete ongoing projects while holding government accountable for its promises.

He urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on its record, programmes and future prospects rather than political, ethnic or religious sentiments.

Oluyede ultimately called on Nigerians to support Tinubu for another term, arguing that the next four years should focus on consolidating reforms, completing major projects and translating economic gains into improved living standards.

He said the 2027 election should therefore serve as a test of continuity, performance and Nigeria’s long-term development, insisting that the country should avoid repeatedly starting over whenever there is a change in political leadership.