2027: Nigerians Challenge Tinubu Over Fresh Campaign Promises

President Bola Tinubu has faced criticism from Nigerians following a fresh set of promises he made at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Dutse, Jigawa State, on Tuesday.

At the rally, Tinubu pledged to improve electricity supply, bring down the cost of living, strengthen the country’s industrial sector, support small businesses, create more employment opportunities and provide interest-free loans to farmers if he secures re-election in 2027.

The President also promised increased investment in agriculture, support for small-scale farmers and measures to improve food security.

He said, “We will reduce the cost of living. We will provide reliable power, not the whole privatisation that is not working. We provide you with reliable power in Nigeria.

“We will stimulate a stronger industrial base for our country. We will help nano, small-scale and medium-scale businesses. We will expand job opportunities for real income earners.

“We have to invest in agriculture, we will subsidise farming, we will reward small-scale farmers, interest-free loans for farmers are coming, prosperity is coming, food security will happen.”

However, the President’s remarks triggered reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning why he was making fresh promises after more than three years in office.

A recurring question among commenters was whether Tinubu was seeking the presidency for the first time, as several users argued that his latest pledges were similar to those he made during the 2023 election campaign.

Some also reminded him of his earlier commitment to tackle electricity challenges and put an end to estimated billing.

During his 2023 campaign, Tinubu had assured Nigerians that they would enjoy electricity supply and would no longer be charged for estimated consumption.

“Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept,” he had declared.

He had also challenged Nigerians not to give him a second term if he failed to fulfil the promise, except he could offer satisfactory explanations for his inability to do so.

“If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver,” he had said.

Reacting to the latest pledges, an X user, @tobechiohaeri, questioned why the President was making similar commitments again, accusing his administration of failing to improve electricity supply.

“Are you contesting for the first time? After four years you are still promising, you spent N17 billion on solar for yourself and left us in darkness. Make we give you another four years of our life on earth make you waste, how many years come remain. God forbid bad thing,” the user wrote.

Another commenter, @hon_yaroo, argued that the President’s promises were coming on the back of earlier commitments that had yet to be fulfilled.

“Promise inside unfulfilled promise? APC is gone, look at the faces of those people in front of him, he knows they are not happy, they don’t want him, the guy is gone,” the user stated.

Similarly, @akpancino warned against accepting another set of promises without evidence of delivery, writing: “Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on Nigerians. You can’t give what you don’t have.”

An X user, @yagazieluchidi, also mocked the President’s repeated assurances, questioning why he continued to speak about what his administration intended to do rather than what it had achieved.

“At this point, I need to start laughing at Tinubu and APC. I used to be angry but right now, I can’t help but laugh. ‘We will.. We will.. We will’ Mr. William. Does this ugly slurry agbero has amnesia that he does not remember he is the fawking sitting president?” the user wrote.

Meanwhile, @Aminuidaah expressed disappointment that expectations of industrial revival following the removal of fuel subsidy had not translated into the anticipated results.

The user said many Nigerians had expected the policy to help revive the country’s mineral resources and industries, including the steel and textile sectors, thereby creating employment opportunities.

However, the commenter argued that electricity shortages remained a major challenge, adding that some long-serving politicians had yet to provide solutions to the country’s problems.

Another user, @UWASOMBA, described Tinubu’s latest campaign promises as an inappropriate political move, insisting that Nigerians were still waiting for the fulfilment of commitments made during the previous election.

“This has to be the most foolish political stunt to pull. Promises were made the last time yet they remain unfulfilled. Stop fooling yourself, Mr President!” the user wrote.

Also reacting, @Drzoeoluwatoyin questioned the credibility of Tinubu’s renewed pledge to fix the power sector, recalling his earlier commitment to address electricity problems within two years of assuming office.

The commenter argued that the President had been in power for more than three years, yet electricity supply had worsened rather than improved.

The user further questioned why Nigerians should believe another promise on reliable electricity when the administration had failed to deliver on its earlier assurance.

The commenter urged Nigerians to reflect on the President’s record ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that Tinubu should not be re-elected if the country remained unable to resolve its persistent power challenges.