Professor Udenta Udenta, a seasoned political strategist and the founding national secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), has issued a cautionary statement regarding President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027. He characterized the forthcoming election not as a hopeful campaign but as a decisive referendum on Tinubu’s first term.
During an interview on Arise News Channel’s ‘The Morning Show’ on Tuesday, Udenta emphasized that the current administration has had sufficient time to demonstrate its effectiveness, and Nigerians are poised to evaluate Tinubu’s tenure with rigorous scrutiny.
“The upcoming election will serve as a referendum rather than a platform for new promises,” Udenta explained. “This is not a fresh start where the candidate can present new ideas; instead, the electorate will review the achievements and shortcomings of the past four years and make their judgment accordingly.”
He highlighted the economic challenges that have persisted following critical policy moves such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the decision to float the naira, suggesting these have contributed to widespread hardship.
“More than two years after these economic adjustments, the nation continues to grapple with poverty, food insecurity, and rising insecurity,” Udenta observed.
Udenta further warned that if former President Goodluck Jonathan secures the opposition’s nomination under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tinubu’s re-election campaign could face significant obstacles.
“Should Jonathan become the PDP candidate, it will present a formidable challenge for Tinubu and his team. The electorate will reflect on the current administration’s performance, which many view as lackluster,” he stated.
This scenario, according to Udenta, partly explains the efforts by Tinubu’s supporters to legally prevent Jonathan from contesting in the 2027 election.
“In light of this, it seems strategic to quickly resolve the issue by potentially disqualifying the former president on constitutional grounds, thereby creating internal turmoil within the PDP,” he added.
Udenta also critiqued the structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as an elitist organization lacking grassroots foundations. “The APC is largely a top-down party dominated by a small elite, unlike the PDP, which, despite its challenges, has a more extensive and deeply rooted presence among the populace since its inception in 1998,” he concluded.
