A Public Statement by Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, PhD
As our nation approaches the 2027 general elections, I wish to appeal to the conscience of every Nigerian’s: Please, look before you leap.
Elections are defining moments, no doubt. They are not decided by the sweetest talk, the loudest emotion, or the most skillful propaganda. They determine the trajectory of our nation for generations. We must not be cajoled, deceived, or hoodwinked into a decision that reverses our progress. Every opposition candidate who seeks to lead Nigeria must be subjected to the same rigorous test: character, integrity, competence, experience, verifiable track record, and a clear, workable plan for Nigeria.
On that test, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu already stands tall and deserves the support of all well-meaning Nigerian’s to complete his constitutionally guaranteed second term.
Of course, we do not deny that sustainable reform comes with temporary pain. President Tinubu inherited an economy that had been distorted over the years and took the difficult but necessary decisions that many before him avoided. Fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, and far-reaching structural reforms were not populist choices; they were courageous, statesmanlike decisions. Major reforms do not yield fruits overnight. They require time, patience and continuity to mature. What Nigeria needs today is not another political experiment, but consolidation. We must allow the seeds already planted to be harvested.
The alternative being presented by the opposition does not inspire confidence. The leading opposition figures and their platforms have so far offered more criticisms than credible alternative programmes. To oppose is easy; to govern is the real test.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been in the national political space for over three decades, including eight years as Vice President from 1999 to 2007. His record in that office, with its attendant controversies and missed opportunities, is a matter of public record and must be part of what Nigerians interrogate.
Beyond record, there is also the question of temperament and respect for institutions. In recent public remarks, Alhaji Atiku repeatedly referred to the sitting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria simply as “Bola.” This is not about political rivalry. The Office of the President embodies the sovereignty and dignity of over 230 million Nigerians. A former Vice President and statesman who has occupied that high office should understand the weight of that institution.
As even Akin Osuntokun, former Campaign Director to Mr. Peter Obi, observed, reducing the President to a first name in a political attack does not strengthen the argument; it diminishes the speaker and affronts the office he himself seeks to occupy.
The same need for scrutiny applies to his proposed running mate, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Nigerians watched with concern when, in 2025 while celebrating his 60th birthday, he declared that he was hungry. This was a man who, until 2023, served for eight uninterrupted years as Minister of the Federal Republic and had previously served as Speaker and Governor cumulatively for sixteen years. The message is contradictory.
More troubling was his recent statement on national television attributing his mother’s death to the cost of healthcare under the Tinubu administration. A claim of such gravity demands sobriety, not political theatre. Leadership requires consistency and responsibility in communication, especially when seeking the highest office in the land.
Similarly, Mr. Peter Obi invites careful examination. Beyond eloquent critiques of government, Nigerians deserve answers on his stewardship in Anambra State and the lingering questions around state finances, debt profile, and development indices during his tenure. Criticism without a record of superior performance is not a credential for national leadership.
Nigeria needs a builder, a unifier, and a leader with proven capacity to take hard decisions and stay the course. If we agree that 2027 must be decided on character, integrity, competence, experience, track record and a clear plan, then the logical, patriotic and progressive choice is continuity.
President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown courage where others showed caution, and capacity where others offer only commentary. In 2027, let us not gamble with our future. Let us look before we leap, think before we choose, and choose continuity over uncertainty, and proven leadership over empty promise.
Dr. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB) is Kwara State APC Chieftain
