A political analyst, Majeed Dahiru, has described President Bola Tinubu’s current standing as “very unpopular,” attributing this to what he sees as underperformance during the first two years of his administration.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Dahiru lamented the worsening living conditions for many Nigerians since Tinubu took office.
“As a Nigerian, my life is not better today than when Tinubu assumed office; it’s actually worse,” Dahiru said.
This, he argued, posed a serious challenge for the president as he looks ahead to the 2027 elections.
Dahiru stressed that Tinubu cannot depend solely on his party’s strength or personal popularity to secure a second term.
Instead, the president must build strong political alliances and gather “all forms of structural support” to win over voters.
Key to this strategy, according to Dahiru, is forging ties with influential political figures and governors who have the capacity to mobilize grassroots support.
“The president will need alliances, and he will need governors who can influence votes in his favor,” he said.
On recent speculation about Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang possibly defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dahiru urged the APC leadership to adopt a welcoming stance if the reports prove true.
He emphasised that embracing such figures would be beneficial both for the party and President Tinubu.
“If indeed the Plateau governor wants to join APC, the party chairman should open his arms to him for the interest of the party and the president,” Dahiru said.
He added that political strategy should take precedence over internal party conflicts, especially as securing strong regional footholds becomes crucial ahead of the 2027 elections.
Winning over governors like Mutfwang could significantly boost the APC’s influence in the North-Central region, Dahiru noted.
Observers suggest that moves such as these could signal the start of widespread political realignments and defections as the election season approaches, with politicians recalibrating their positions for relevance and survival.
Dahiru’s comments come amid ongoing debates about President Tinubu’s approval ratings, the effectiveness of his economic policies, and the increasing political maneuvering expected as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 presidential election.
