Senior Consultant and Public Affairs analyst, Abdulsalam Suleiman, has reacted to comments made by former presidential spokesman Doyin Okupe, suggesting that President Bola Tinubu may not run for a second term in 2027.
Suleiman stated that Okupe’s remarks reflect a need for “a new thinking cap” and that Tinubu deserves a second term due to his administration’s efforts to revive Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking with DAILY POST, Suleiman argued that President Tinubu is making substantial contributions to the Nigerian economy, particularly through efforts to rejuvenate the Port Harcourt Refinery and implement policies aimed at strengthening the oil and financial sectors.
Suleiman also emphasized that it is the turn of the South to produce Nigeria’s president, pointing out that Okupe’s suggestion that Tinubu might not contest for a second term was unfounded.
He argued that the South is fully qualified to hold the presidency for another eight years, following the eight years of northern leadership.
Okupe had previously stirred controversy when he claimed that the presidency would not return to the North, even if Tinubu does not contest in 2027.
He remarked that the political rotation between the North and South should allow the South to take the presidency for the next term, without necessarily endorsing Tinubu for re-election.
Countering Okupe’s position, Suleiman highlighted the positive impact of Tinubu’s governance in the oil sector, particularly his work on reviving the Port Harcourt refinery. He stated that such efforts were vital in addressing the economic downturn Nigeria experienced after the Buhari administration. Suleiman also pointed out that Tinubu’s administration has faced significant challenges, including the lack of fuel subsidy provision in the 2023 budget by the former government, yet the current president has made notable strides in infrastructure development and governmental reforms.
Suleiman added that, given the progress made so far, Tinubu should be encouraged to continue his work and considered for a second term in 2027. He urged Nigerians to reflect on their contributions to national issues, such as security and agriculture, and support the president in his ongoing efforts to address the country’s challenges.
Faulting Okupe’s stance, Suleiman said: “The President is making some significant contributions to the revival of the oil sector of the economy.
“By getting the Port Harcourt refinery to run is a major contribution to the revival of the economy which has become comatose after Buhari’s administration.
“I try to see a different reason why somebody like Doyin Okupe would suggest that Tinubu can’t run in 2027, it’s not so because it’s the turn of the South to produce the president now and they are qualified to have the eight years.
“If the man on the seat is running well and is making some recoveries by saving from the oil sector, reviving some refineries, and regulating the banking sector then all you need to do is encourage him because the man you know now is better than the one you don’t know. This is my disagreement with Okupe when he was trying to suggest that it may not be Tinubu in 2027.
“How did you come to that conclusion when it’s not yet 24 months that Tinubu came into power? He has been facing some hurdles, obstacles were laid, land mines were laid along the political terrain for him and he has been clearing some of them very well.
“Being able to keep the country together in the face of terrorism embarrassment we are facing, I think he deserved to be considered if he continues like this till 2027.
“We have no need to continue to pretend that nothing good is being done in this country by the Tinubu administration.
“Doyin Okupe and those listening to him should remember that one of the first high hurdles the Tinubu government had to face was the non-provision for fuel subsidy payment in the 2023 budget by the Buhari Administration.
“From thence the new government has taken the bull by the horns, building infrastructure in new roads, bridges to link the north and south, creating new, more relevant ministries, departments and agencies which is currently bringing the government closer to the good people of this great country.
“No President has assisted state governments with palliatives like this within two years. For any right-thinking Nigerian person to imagine, or think that Bola Ahmed Tinubu may not be massively voted for in 2027, then there is the need for a new large thinking cap, as urgent as yesterday.
“For emphasis, we know, this government is not yet two years in office. Now, as individuals that make up the country, what is our contribution in the areas of security, agriculture, schools maintenance and community leadership.”
