President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign will likely see him visit only 12 of Nigeria's 36 states, according to political analyst Omotayo Yusuf. In an interview with Legit.ng, Yusuf explained that Tinubu's strategy relies on the power of incumbency and groundwork already laid by governors, rather than the extensive nationwide tour he undertook in 2023.
Incumbency Advantage Over Nationwide Tours
Yusuf, a political analyst and journalist, said the president's approach marks a sharp departure from his 2023 campaign. Instead of crisscrossing the country, Tinubu is delegating political groundwork to supporters and sitting governors. "I will say it is the power of incumbency and the realisation that the groundwork has been done to pave the way for his victory in 2027," Yusuf told Legit.ng. "Unlike the 2023 election, where he needed to tour the entire country, now he is relying more on his supporters, governors across the states."
This strategy includes leveraging support even in states where the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not control the governorship. Yusuf specifically pointed to Anambra and Osun as examples where Tinubu has secured backing across party lines.
Age and Governing Demands as Vulnerabilities
While Yusuf described a 2027 win as "almost sure" for the president, he raised two potential concerns: age and the challenge of balancing campaign duties with governing responsibilities. "It is almost sure he is going to win the election, apart from the fact that age is not on his side," Yusuf said. He noted that unlike in 2023, when Tinubu was a private citizen with more flexibility, he is now a sitting president whose campaign time cuts into his governing duties.
Despite these concerns, Yusuf said Tinubu appears confident that the political work is largely done. "He knows that he has the majority of the state locked down; electioneering and campaigning is just ticking the box," Yusuf explained. "He believes that he has done enough to secure himself another term in office, strengthened by the position of an incumbent. So, I don't think it is going to hurt him."
Related Reforms in Education Sector
In a separate development, Tinubu announced at a convocation ceremony in Bauchi State on Saturday, October 17, that federal universities are now exempt from recruitment waivers. The reform hands recruitment authority directly to the Federal Ministry of Education and university governing councils. Tinubu also disclosed plans to migrate tertiary institution staff from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to a new payroll management system.
These education reforms, while unrelated to the campaign, highlight the president's focus on governance as he seeks a second term. For now, the 2027 campaign strategy appears set: limited personal appearances, heavy reliance on governors, and the institutional advantages of incumbency.
