Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has issued a stark warning that President Bola Tinubu risks losing his re-election bid in 2027 unless he takes immediate action to appease the North.
Once a close ally of Tinubu, Lawal expressed that the President’s economic policies have exacerbated poverty in the region, resulting in widespread discontent.
He emphasised that if Tinubu fails to address the current hardships and heed the concerns of Nigerians, particularly those in the North, he will encounter formidable opposition in the upcoming election.
“Tinubu must implement effective programmes to alleviate poverty across the nation. It’s not just about him; his misguided policies are putting every Nigerian, especially in the North, in distress. He needs to create sound policies and, importantly, listen,” Lawal stated in an interview.
He accused the government of stifling dissent, claiming that those who criticise Tinubu’s policies are being targeted and silenced.
Lawal also suggested that the North could rally together to deny Tinubu a second term, reminiscent of how former President Goodluck Jonathan was ousted in 2015.
“Regarding the treatment meted out to Goodluck Jonathan, it is indeed possible. In 2015, despite Jonathan’s significant financial expenditure, people accepted the money but did not turn out to vote. The same scenario could unfold in 2027,” he cautioned.
