By Joseph Olaoye
CAMPAIGN 2027: DAY ONE
WHY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU DESERVES A SECOND TERM
19 August 2026 — The Campaign Begins
Today marks the official beginning of the campaign period for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections. INEC has scheduled the presidential election for 16 January 2027, with campaigns for presidential and National Assembly candidates running from 19 August 2026 until 14 January 2027.
As we begin this journey, I want to make my position clear and unequivocal:
I stand firmly in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 presidential election.
This campaign should not be reduced to personalities, insults, propaganda, or empty political slogans. It should be about Nigeria, leadership, performance, reforms, economic transformation, national unity, and the future we want to build together.
THE CHOICE BEFORE NIGERIANS
Every election presents citizens with a choice.
In 2027, Nigerians will have the opportunity to examine where the country was before the Tinubu administration, what has been done since 2023, the difficulties Nigerians have experienced, the reforms undertaken, and the direction in which the country is moving.
President Tinubu inherited a difficult economic situation and embarked on major reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and changes to the foreign exchange system.
These reforms have not been painless.
Many families and businesses have experienced serious economic pressure. We must acknowledge that reality, honestly.
But leadership can not be judged only by whether every decision is immediately popular.
Leadership must also be judged by whether difficult decisions are capable of creating a stronger foundation for the future.
REFORMS REQUIRE TIME
Nigeria can not solve decades of accumulated structural problems overnight.
Economic transformation requires consistency, discipline, investment, and time.
The question Nigerians should therefore ask is:
Should we abandon the reform process, or should we strengthen and improve it while demanding better results?
My answer is clear:
We should continue the reforms, correct what needs correction, protect vulnerable Nigerians, and ensure that the benefits of economic growth reach ordinary citizens.
That is why I support continuity with accountability.
PERFORMANCE MUST BE EXAMINED HONESTLY
Supporting President Tinubu does not mean refusing to acknowledge challenges.
A serious political movement must be capable of examining its own performance.
We must ask:
* Are Nigerians experiencing better opportunities?
– Are businesses becoming more productive?
– Are young people gaining access to meaningful opportunities?
– Is infrastructure improving?
– Are investments increasing?
– Is insecurity being confronted effectively?
– Are government institutions becoming stronger?
– Are the reforms producing sustainable results?
– Are ordinary Nigerians beginning to feel the benefits?
These questions should not frighten anyone.
A government that welcomes honest evaluation becomes stronger.
THE SECOND TERM SHOULD BE ABOUT CONSOLIDATION
The first term has been about initiating major reforms.
The next phase should be about consolidating the gains, improving implementation and delivering broader prosperity.
We need stronger institutions.
We need more productive industries.
We need better roads, electricity, transportation and digital infrastructure.
We need greater support for small and medium-sized businesses.
We need a stronger manufacturing sector.
We need opportunities for our young people.
We need agricultural productivity and food security.
We need an economy where hard work can translate into a decent standard of living.
And above all, we need leadership that understands that government exists to serve the people.
TINUBU: EXPERIENCE MATTERS
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brings decades of political and administrative experience to the national stage.
His supporters point to his record as Governor of Lagos State and his long experience in political organisation and governance as evidence of his capacity to manage complex systems.
Whether one supports him or opposes him, there is no denying that the 2027 election will be a major contest over the future direction of Nigeria.
For me, experience matters.
Capacity matters. Competence matters. Vision matters. The ability to make difficult decisions matters.
LET US CAMPAIGN WITH RESPONSIBILITY
As Campaign 2027 begins, I will not support politics based on hatred.
I will not support politics based on tribalism.
I will not support politics based on religious intolerance.
I will not support politics based on personal attacks.
Our opponents have every right to disagree with us.
We have every right to defend our candidate.
But our arguments should be based on facts, policies, performance and vision for Nigeria.
Nigeria is bigger than APC.
Nigeria is bigger than PDP.
Nigeria is bigger than Labour Party.
Nigeria is bigger than any individual politician.
Nigeria belongs to all of us.
FROM TODAY, THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS
From today, 19 August 2026, until election day, we have an opportunity to speak directly to Nigerians.
We must explain what the Tinubu administration has done.
We must acknowledge where government needs to do better.
We must present the case for continuity.
We must mobilise responsibly.
We must engage young Nigerians.
We must speak to workers, traders, farmers, professionals, entrepreneurs, students and communities.
And we must take the message to the grassroots.
The 2027 election will not be won by noise alone. It will be won by organisation, persuasion, credibility, mobilisation and trust.
MY MESSAGE TO APC SUPPORTERS
Let us unite.
Let us put Nigeria first.
Let us avoid internal divisions that can weaken our collective effort.
Let us respect one another.
Let us remember that after the primaries, the real responsibility is to win the general election.
We cannot afford complacency.
We cannot take any voter for granted.
Every ward matters.
Every polling unit matters.
Every community matters.
Every Nigerian matters.
MY MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS
I ask every Nigerian to look beyond social-media arguments and campaign propaganda.
Look at the facts.
Examine the reforms.
Examine the challenges.
Examine the alternatives.
Examine the capacity of every candidate.
Then make your decision based on the Nigeria you want to build.
My own decision is already made.
I believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the opportunity to continue the work of reform, consolidation and national transformation.
Therefore, on this first day of the 2027 campaign:
I STAND WITH PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU.
I STAND WITH THE APC.
I STAND FOR CONTINUITY.
I STAND FOR REFORM.
I STAND FOR A STRONGER NIGERIA.
The journey to 16 January 2027 begins today.
Let us campaign with facts.
Let us mobilise with discipline.
Let us debate with respect.
Let us vote with conviction.
And let us work together for a Nigeria that is more prosperous, more secure, more united, and more capable of providing opportunity for all.
2027: CONTINUITY. REFORM. PROGRESS.
RE-ELECT PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU.
Renewed Hope. Renewed Commitment. A Stronger Nigeria.
— KOKU Joseph Olaoye
