George Agbakahi: President Tinubu's Record Will Drive His 2027 Campaign

Dr. George Agbakahi, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms and economic strategies bolster his chances for re-election in 2027.

In an interview with ARISE News, Agbakahi expressed confidence that Tinubu’s tenure will be a pivotal factor in the upcoming elections. "The President is going to run on his record," he asserted, noting the positive impact of his administration’s accomplishments.

He pointed out that when Tinubu took office, Nigeria’s economy faced significant challenges, hampered by what he termed an artificial exchange rate system and a fuel subsidy plagued by corruption. Agbakahi claimed that Tinubu introduced a substantial shift by eliminating the subsidy and reforming the foreign exchange landscape.

The APC chieftain highlighted notable improvements in essential economic metrics, particularly foreign reserves. "When President Tinubu came into power, our foreign reserve stood at approximately 34 billion. As of now, it has risen to 49 billion. This indicates significant progress," he noted.

While acknowledging ongoing difficulties with the cost of living, Agbakahi remarked that gradual enhancements are becoming apparent. "It was challenging initially, and it remains tough," he conceded, stating that food prices are starting to stabilize.

He also mentioned the increased federal allocations to states, contending that enhanced funds from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) have empowered governors to pursue infrastructure initiatives nationwide.

In regard to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill's controversy, Agbakahi supported the National Assembly’s choice to preserve manual backup transmission of results in the event of technology failures.

"We operate within a democratic framework, characterized by a three-tier system of government. The National Assembly operates independently of the executive branch," he asserted.

Agbakahi also defended the necessity for a manual fallback, citing the potential for technological issues and insufficient infrastructure. "If there is a computer issue… this community’s votes may not be counted at the local or national level. That is the truth of the situation," he explained.

He further stressed the importance of Form EC8A within Nigeria’s electoral process, calling it "the nucleus of our electoral system."

As discussions regarding reforms and electoral transparency intensify, the APC leader reiterated that the President's track record will be critical to the 2027 electoral race, stating, "President Tinubu will campaign on his achievements."