Tinubu Kicks Off Campaign for Re-Election

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially started his campaign for re-election. He inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council yesterday. This marks the beginning of his efforts to present his achievements to Nigerians.

The Media and Strategic Communications Directorate has been working on this since August. We have been preparing the plans and strategies needed for a strong campaign. The inauguration by President Tinubu signals that we are now in full campaign mode.

The APC PCC Media and Strategic Communications Directorate has six subcommittees. I am part of three of them: the Committee of Campaign Spokespersons, the Strategy Committee, and the Committee on Screening Media and Advertising Agencies. I understand the responsibilities ahead.

I have always supported the Tinubu administration. But that doesn't mean I ignore the challenges we face. Difficult decisions have been made, which have affected many Nigerians.

As APC members, we are among those feeling these economic challenges. Our membership verified by the National Identification Number is about 12.8 million. The PDP has 2.4 million, ADC has 1.6 million, and NDC has 700,000. Our members include traders, civil servants, farmers, transporters, professionals, artisans, and businesspeople. We share the same struggles, yet we stay hopeful because better days are coming.

This campaign will focus on explaining why tough choices were made, what they achieved, and how they will improve lives for everyday Nigerians. Our main message is clear: from reform to prosperity!

When President Tinubu took office in 2023, Nigeria was facing serious economic problems. The Central Bank had financed government deficits by printing money, which had reached nearly ₦30 trillion.

The foreign exchange system was broken, with the official NAFEX rate at about ₦465 to the dollar and the parallel market rate at ₦763. This created a big gap that allowed some to profit while many businesses struggled with high costs.

Instead of continuing this cycle for personal gain, President Tinubu chose to put Nigeria first. He tackled the petrol subsidy that drained public funds and led to smuggling. Government revenues were under pressure, with debt servicing taking up almost 98 percent of the budget. Investors were leaving due to uncertainty, and the World Bank warned of a looming fiscal crisis.

Clearly, action was needed. The choice was between continuing the old ways or making tough changes to save the country. History will remember Tinubu for choosing the right path.

He removed the petrol subsidy and unified the foreign-exchange windows. The Central Bank tightened its policies, began building reserves, and stopped printing cash to cover deficits.

His government also started reforms in taxes, oil and gas, power, and infrastructure. The first phase was hard. Fuel prices went up, the naira fell, and inflation affected many households. Businesses and families felt the pressure.

But three years later, we are starting to see positive changes. Foreign reserves are now above $54 billion, compared to about $32 billion in mid-April 2024. The World Bank reported a GDP growth of 4.2 percent in the first half of 2026.

This growth has stabilized Nigeria's poverty rate for the first time since 2019. While poverty is still a problem, it shows we are moving in the right direction.

Nigeria's current account is also stronger, with rising reserves acting as a buffer against shocks. We remember when foreign airlines left Nigeria because they had no way to convert naira to dollars. Those days are over.

The global financial community is taking notice. In May, S&P Global Ratings upgraded Nigeria’s credit rating from B- to B, citing improvements in the economy. In August, Moody’s changed Nigeria’s outlook to Positive, and last week, Fitch also upgraded Nigeria's outlook.

JP Morgan has added Nigeria to its new local currency bond index, helping attract international investors. This shows that while we still have problems, there are clear signs of change.

The next phase is about turning economic stability into prosperity. This means lowering inflation so that wages can increase. It also means keeping foreign exchange stable so businesses can plan better.

We need to increase food production and address the issues that raise food prices. Higher federation revenues should lead to better public services like roads, hospitals, and schools.

We also need to expand cash transfers to the poorest Nigerians and improve access to credit for homes, vehicles, and education. This will help many families.

Investments in transportation, security, and infrastructure are crucial for daily life. The government is working on power, roads, and rail projects that will support economic growth.

This is why the campaign for President Tinubu’s re-election is ramping up. The upcoming elections will allow Nigerians to evaluate records and choices.

President Tinubu must defend his actions, and his opponents need to explain their plans. For those of us sharing the president's message, our job is significant.

We will communicate clearly and honestly with Nigerians. We will highlight achievements and recognize areas needing improvement. We will show why continuing these reforms is essential for shared prosperity.

I have seen what happens when a government fails to communicate effectively. I worked with President Goodluck Jonathan and witnessed his administration lose in 2015. That taught me a vital lesson: performance alone is not enough. A government must explain its actions and goals.

This election is different. We will make our case firmly, respectfully, and with facts. Nigerians will make their choice based on their needs. For us, there is no room for complacency.

The campaign has started. We are ready to work hard.

And we will win!