Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has announced that he will vote for President Bola Tinubu over other key contenders, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, in the 2027 presidential election. Omokri expressed his support for Tinubu on social media, highlighting the president’s superior qualities in areas such as loyalty, economic management, and dispute resolution.
In a post shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Omokri stated his intention to actively campaign for Tinubu, emphasizing that the president’s forgiving nature and political acumen set him apart from his rivals. “If there are three names on the ballot in 2027 and they are as follows: Waziri Atiku Abubakar, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Peter Gregory Obi, I will vote for and work vehemently for the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, so help me, God,” Omokri wrote.
Omokri, who previously served as Special Assistant on New Media to former President Goodluck Jonathan, explained that his support for Tinubu is rooted in the president’s proven track record in managing economic affairs and resolving disputes. According to Omokri, Tinubu’s leadership style and ability to forgive political opponents are key attributes that make him a better candidate than both Atiku and Obi.
“In terms of acknowledging loyalty, economic handling, dispute resolution, and having a forgiving heart, Asiwaju is a far better politician than anyone on that list,” Omokri said. He stressed that Tinubu’s approach to politics has been instrumental in navigating the challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in the areas of governance and the economy.
Despite the harsh economic conditions that have dominated public discourse, including the rising cost of living and petrol price hikes, Omokri defended Tinubu’s handling of the Nigerian economy. He pointed to several economic indicators that show improvement under Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the president’s policies are already yielding positive results.
Omokri noted that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.19% in the second quarter of 2024, a sign of economic progress despite the difficult circumstances. He also highlighted that Nigeria has achieved a trade surplus, exporting more than it imports. “Nigeria made a trade surplus of N6,527 billion in Q1, and by the second quarter of 2024, Nigeria’s trade surplus increased 6.5% to N6,945 billion,” Omokri explained.
He also praised the growth of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX), which has broken multiple records since Tinubu took office. Omokri pointed out that the NGX achieved its highest level ever in November 2023, with the All-Shares Index reaching 70,581.76. Since then, the stock market has continued to set new milestones, with the index crossing the 100,000-basis point mark in January 2024.
“The Nigerian Stock Exchange has broken four records in the last sixteen months,” Omokri said, adding that the stock market’s strong performance is evidence of economic stability under Tinubu’s leadership.
Another significant achievement under Tinubu’s administration, according to Omokri, is the local production of petrol by the Dangote Refinery. The refinery, which began operations in 2024, has made Nigeria a net exporter of finished petroleum products, reducing the country’s reliance on fuel imports.
“With the coming onstream of the Dangote Refinery, Nigeria is now self-sufficient in petrol production,” Omokri stated. He explained that this development has allowed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to halt fuel imports, a major step towards achieving energy independence.
Omokri also praised Tinubu for rebuilding Nigeria’s foreign reserves, which now stand at $39.07 billion. He attributed this achievement to the president’s decision to stop borrowing money for unnecessary expenditures. “The President has removed the feeding bottle of borrowing, which we had hitherto used to avoid living within our means,” Omokri said.
While Omokri lauded Tinubu’s economic policies, not everyone shares his optimism. Prominent opposition figures and economic analysts have criticized the administration for the rising cost of living and the removal of fuel subsidies. Dele Momodu, a notable figure within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), recently expressed doubts about the country’s economic outlook, citing the increasing hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians.
Momodu argued that the persistent rise in living costs does not offer hope that the economy will improve in the near future. He suggested that many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet due to the high cost of basic necessities, such as fuel and electricity.
However, Omokri dismissed these concerns, insisting that the administration’s economic reforms are necessary for long-term growth. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by Nigerians but emphasized that the current pain is a result of structural changes that will benefit the country in the long run.
“Times are tough, but the measures taken by the Tinubu administration are already bearing fruit,” Omokri said, pointing to the positive economic data. He argued that Nigeria’s reliance on foreign loans and subsidies had created an unsustainable economic system, and Tinubu’s reforms are helping to correct these imbalances.
As the 2027 elections approach, Omokri’s endorsement of Tinubu signals a potential shift in the political landscape. Despite the challenges Tinubu has faced during his presidency, Omokri believes that the president’s leadership qualities and economic management skills will give him an edge over his opponents.
Abubakar who ran against Tinubu in the 2023 elections, is expected to be a major contender once again. However, Omokri’s criticism of Atiku suggests that he views the former vice president as less capable of managing Nigeria’s complex political and economic challenges. Similarly, Peter Obi, who has positioned himself as a candidate for change, has not impressed Omokri enough to secure his support.