President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to re-elect him in January 2027, promising prosperity, economic recovery and greater opportunities while insisting that he has no regrets about removing the petrol subsidy.
Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday, October 24, during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off rally in Kaduna State. He defended his administration’s economic reforms amid continuing concerns about the cost of living, food prices and household finances.
The President asked Nigerians to renew his mandate, arguing that a second term would allow his administration to consolidate its policies and pursue its development agenda.
He urged supporters to mobilise ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, and called on voters to support APC candidates across the different levels of government.
“Come January 2027, January 16, you must go out massively to elect me again,” Tinubu told the rally.
Tinubu Rules Out Return to Fuel Subsidy
The President also ruled out restoring the petrol subsidy, describing the policy as part of Nigeria’s past.
“What is past is past. Fuel subsidy is in our past. No more corruption, no more falsification of invoices, no more lies and no more smuggling,” he said.
Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. His administration has defended the decision as necessary to reduce the government’s financial burden and redirect public resources towards other priorities.
However, the policy has remained a major subject of public debate because of its effects on transport costs, food prices and the cost of running businesses.
The President had also defended the decision at a gathering organised by the City Boy Movement at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on October 19.
At that event, he said he had no regrets about removing the subsidy and rejected calls by political opponents to restore it. He compared reversing the policy to returning to Egypt after leaving it behind, arguing that Nigeria should continue with its economic reforms.
His latest remarks indicate that subsidy policy will remain a key issue in the debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
President Blames Previous Governments for Economic Hardship
During the Kaduna rally, Tinubu responded to criticism over hunger and poverty, blaming previous administrations for creating the conditions his government is attempting to address.
“I hear my opponents talking about hunger. Who created it? They did. They created hunger and poverty. We are trying to eradicate them,” he said.
The President maintained that his administration’s policies would eventually deliver economic growth, recovery and improved opportunities for Nigerians.
He listed prosperity, consistency, growth, recovery and opportunity among the outcomes he expected from the government’s economic direction.
Tinubu also praised APC governors, saying their development efforts were contributing to progress across states governed by the party. He cited regular salary payments and state-level development activities as examples of the administration’s broader agenda.
However, the President’s assurances come as many households continue to face pressure from living expenses. The removal of the subsidy, alongside other economic changes, has contributed to higher costs for many consumers and businesses.
While the administration argues that the reforms are necessary for long-term economic stability, critics have questioned whether the benefits are reaching ordinary Nigerians quickly enough.
Tinubu Promises Prosperity in Second Term
The President appealed particularly to young Nigerians, promising that they would benefit from the opportunities his administration intends to create.
He urged supporters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the forthcoming election.
Tinubu also called on voters to support APC candidates contesting presidential, governorship and legislative positions. His appeal seeks to consolidate the party’s political support ahead of the 2027 polls.
At the rally, he thanked Kaduna residents for their support during the 2023 presidential election and asked them to renew their backing.
He said another term would enable him to continue implementing his policies on economic recovery, development and prosperity.
Economic Reforms Likely to Remain a Campaign Issue
The President’s defence of subsidy removal places economic policy at the centre of the emerging 2027 campaign debate.
Supporters of the reforms argue that removing the subsidy reduces pressure on public finances and creates room for other government spending. Opponents, however, have continued to call attention to the financial burden households face and have debated alternatives, including proposals to restore some form of subsidy.
The disagreement reflects a broader question facing voters: whether the economic changes introduced since 2023 are delivering sufficient benefits to justify the immediate sacrifices.
For Tinubu, the campaign message is that reversing course would undermine the direction his administration has chosen. He is asking Nigerians to give him another term to pursue the promised gains.
Ultimately, voters will assess that promise against their experiences with employment, income, food affordability, transport costs and access to essential services.
As the election approaches, the future of petrol subsidy policy and the wider economic reform programme is expected to remain a significant part of the national political conversation.
