The Economist Says Tinubu Could Retain Presidency Despite Public Discontent

The Economist has said President Bola Tinubu could still secure re-election in the 2027 presidential election despite growing concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and dissatisfaction with his administration.

In an analysis titled “Nigerians Dislike Their President, But May Re-elect Him Anyway,” the London-based magazine examined several factors it said could shape the outcome of the January 2027 election.

Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are among the leading contenders in the election.

The publication acknowledged the challenges confronting the Tinubu administration, particularly insecurity and the rising cost of living.

It pointed to the worsening security situation in parts of the country, noting that Nigerians continue to face attacks, kidnapping and other forms of violence.

The magazine also observed that although Tinubu’s economic reforms have received positive reactions from some investors, their benefits have not yet translated into improved living conditions for many Nigerians.

Borno State was used as an example of the difficulties facing communities affected by insecurity and economic hardship.

The publication said prolonged insurgency had damaged economic activity in the state, while unemployment, poor harvests, reduced aid and higher energy costs had compounded the difficulties faced by residents.

It further cited recent polling by SBM Intelligence, which it said showed that Tinubu’s popularity in Borno had declined compared with that of Atiku and Obi.

Despite these challenges, The Economist argued that dissatisfaction with an incumbent does not automatically translate into an electoral defeat.

It identified the influence of the ruling party’s political structure and the advantages associated with incumbency as factors that could affect the contest.

The magazine also highlighted the absence of a joint opposition ticket between Atiku and Obi, arguing that the division could prevent voters opposed to the APC from consolidating behind a single candidate.

Joachim MacEbong of Control Risks was quoted as saying that because the opposition was not running on a united ticket, the anti-APC vote might not be consolidated around one candidate.

Religion was also identified as one of the factors that could influence voting patterns.

The publication noted that Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are Muslims, while Obi is a Catholic with a Muslim running mate.

It quoted Cheta Nwanze of SBM Intelligence as saying that the Muslim-Muslim ticket could still resonate with some voters in northern Nigeria.

Another factor identified by The Economist was what it described as political cynicism among voters who have experienced years of inadequate public services.

The magazine argued that prolonged exposure to poor security, healthcare and education could lead some citizens to lower their expectations of government.

It cited the example of a woman in Maiduguri who reportedly planned to vote for Tinubu because she had received medicine at a government hospital.

The publication also pointed to voter turnout as a possible factor in the election.

It noted that insecurity could discourage voters from travelling to polling stations, citing Borno’s turnout of below 20 per cent in the 2023 presidential election, compared with 27 per cent nationwide.

It further suggested that regional and identity considerations could influence voting in some parts of the country, including Lagos, where Tinubu served as governor and has strong political ties.

The Economist concluded that unless improvements in economic conditions and security become more noticeable in people’s daily lives, many voters could remain dissatisfied, while that dissatisfaction might not necessarily translate into votes against the incumbent.

ADC Rejects Economist’s Assessment

Reacting to the publication, ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said the party agreed that Tinubu faced widespread dissatisfaction but disagreed with the magazine’s assessment of his electoral prospects.

Abdullahi argued that the cost-of-living crisis, rather than religion or ethnicity, would be a major factor influencing how Nigerians vote in 2027.

He said Nigerians across different ethnic and religious groups were experiencing economic difficulties and that the mood of the country should not be underestimated.

The ADC spokesperson also alleged that the APC could only win through electoral manipulation, although he did not provide independently verified evidence to substantiate the allegation.

NDC Questions Tinubu’s Re-election Prospects

The NDC also challenged The Economist’s analysis.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, questioned how the publication could acknowledge Tinubu’s reported unpopularity while still conclude that he could retain power.

The NDC argued that the magazine did not sufficiently explain how the factors it identified as weaknesses for the President would translate into an electoral advantage.

The party also alleged that there was no realistic route to a Tinubu victory without electoral manipulation. It did not provide independently verified evidence supporting the claim.

Presidency Defends Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

The Presidency, meanwhile, defended the economic policies of the Tinubu administration.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the reforms were introduced to address structural problems that had accumulated over several years.

Onanuga referenced Tinubu’s October 1 Independence Day address, in which the President argued that previous governments had postponed difficult economic decisions and allowed distortions in the economy to worsen.

According to the President, the reforms did not create Nigeria’s economic problems but were intended to address them.

Tinubu also defended the removal of the fuel subsidy and warned against returning to what he described as unsustainable subsidy arrangements.

He said Nigeria’s economy had grown by more than four per cent in 2026, with contributions from both the oil and non-oil sectors.

The President maintained that his administration had been forced to take difficult decisions because of the economic conditions it inherited in 2023.

The debate over The Economist’s assessment comes as political parties and presidential candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 election, with economic conditions, security, voter turnout and the strength of opposition alliances expected to remain central issues in the campaign.

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