Are We Expecting a New Lie? — Nigerians Challenge Tinubu Ahead of 2027
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential election, President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promises have returned to public debate.
Some Nigerians accuse his administration of failing to deliver on several commitments made before the 2023 election.
Tinubu assumed office in May 2023 under the Renewed Hope Agenda, promising to tackle insecurity, create jobs and improve electricity supply.
He also promised to reduce poverty, strengthen infrastructure, revive the economy and improve living conditions across the country.
The administration has defended its record, saying economic reforms, infrastructure projects and social intervention programmes are producing meaningful results.
However, opposition figures and critics disagree, arguing that many Nigerians are yet to experience significant benefits from the reforms.
They particularly blame the removal of the petrol subsidy and naira flotation for worsening living costs.
According to the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV consultation, poverty stood at 63 per cent at the national poverty line.
Jobs remain a major concern
Job creation was one of Tinubu’s major promises during the 2023 presidential campaign.
In his 2022 manifesto, he promised to create sufficient jobs with decent wages, particularly for young Nigerians.
He also pledged to support youths and women through sectors including the digital economy, entertainment, culture and tourism.
Official unemployment figures have fallen from 5.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2022 to between 4.3 and 4.9 per cent in 2026.
Despite the decline, opposition groups argue that unemployment and underemployment remain serious concerns for many Nigerians.
Electricity promise resurfaces
Electricity supply is another campaign promise that has continued to attract public attention.
Tinubu promised to increase electricity generation, improve transmission and distribution, and make power more affordable for Nigerians.
During the campaign, he challenged voters not to support his second-term bid if he failed to deliver constant electricity.
“By all means necessary, you must have electricity and you will not pay for an estimated bill anymore,” Tinubu said.
“If I don’t keep the promise and I come back for the second term, don’t vote for me,” he added.
Although national grid collapses have reportedly reduced, electricity remains unreliable in many communities.
Residents continue to complain about prolonged blackouts, electricity tariffs and estimated billing.
Insecurity remains a major issue
Security was another major promise contained in Tinubu’s 2022 manifesto.
He pledged to build a stronger security architecture capable of tackling terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
However, insecurity remains a major concern three years into his administration.
Terrorist attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes have continued in different parts of the country.
Reports indicate that hundreds of people were killed in terrorist-related incidents in 2025.
Thousands of kidnapping incidents have also been recorded since Tinubu assumed office.
Nigeria has remained among countries significantly affected by terrorism, increasing pressure on the government to deliver stronger security results.
‘Renewed Hope has only impoverished Nigerians’
Immediate past Chairman of the African Democratic Congress in Rivers State, Leader Sampson, accused the administration of failing to fulfil its promises.
Sampson said the removal of the petrol subsidy contributed significantly to the hardship experienced by Nigerians.
“Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has only succeeded in impoverishing Nigerians. They have only enriched themselves and that’s all about the hope agenda,” he said.
He also criticised the government over insecurity and electricity, arguing that conditions had not improved sufficiently.
According to Sampson, rising transport costs and insecurity have made movement increasingly difficult for Nigerians.
‘Are we expecting a new lie?’
Political analyst and grassroots mobiliser Aaron Akogwu questioned what the All Progressives Congress would tell voters during the 2027 campaign.
Akogwu said the party would have to explain whether it fulfilled the promises that helped secure its 2023 victory.
“You can’t give what you don’t have. APC people have no single truth in their mouths,” he said.
“The campaign is going to be difficult for them because what are they going to say to the people?”
“The promises you made before we brought you in, have you been able to keep them? Are we expecting a new lie?” he asked.
‘Subsidy was taken from the poor’
Businessman Prince Isaac Fayose also rejected claims that the economic reforms had significantly improved ordinary Nigerians’ lives.
Fayose argued that subsidy removal had placed greater pressure on the poor without delivering sufficient benefits.
“At a time, I agreed that subsidy must go but I never knew that they would take the subsidy away,” he said.
He questioned the effectiveness of government cash transfers, arguing that small payments could not address the wider economic difficulties.
Fayose also criticised road conditions in some parts of the country and urged Nigerians to scrutinise political promises.
Government defends its reforms
Despite the criticism, the Federal Government has maintained that its reforms are laying the foundation for stronger economic growth.
Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele recently described Moody’s positive outlook for Nigeria as external validation of the government’s economic reforms.
He said the government’s next objective was to move Nigeria towards investment-grade status.
As political activities gather momentum, the economy, electricity, insecurity and job creation are expected to dominate the 2027 campaign.
For many voters, the bigger question remains whether the promises made before the 2023 election have translated into better lives.
