Not up to two years into his presidency, a billboard promoting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign has been erected in Abuja.
This development hints at early preparations for the 2027 elections. The billboard, situated near the Velodrome at the national stadium on Area 1 Road, features a photograph of President Tinubu warmly embracing his wife, Remi, alongside the caption “Grassroots support for Tinubu 2027”.
It was sponsored by a group named “Dark Matters”.
This move comes shortly after Tinubu marked his first year in office as President of Nigeria. However, it occurs amidst growing scrutiny of Tinubu’s policies, criticized for exacerbating the nation’s economic challenges and making life miserable for Nigerians.
Critics argue that these policies may not be resonating well with the grassroots, potentially undermining the President’s support base. Despite this, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, is strongly canvassing support nationwide to bolster Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Ganduje, in May 2024, emphasized the party’s efforts to solidify support for Tinubu’s potential second term.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not yet announced the schedule for the 2027 electoral process, this early campaign initiative indicates a strategic move to mobilize support well in advance of the election, setting the stage for what could be a fiercely contested race.