Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s alleged focus on securing a second term in 2027, calling it a “misplaced priority” at a time when the nation is grappling with severe socio-economic challenges.
Speaking in a televised interview on Thursday, the elder stateswoman, who served as Tinubu’s deputy from 1999 to 2002, expressed concern over what she perceives as the administration’s preoccupation with political ambition rather than national transformation.
“What we need now is not campaign strategy but a rescue plan,” Bucknor-Akerele said. “Unfortunately, what I see is a president more focused on re-election than reform.
He should be paying attention to the thoughtful recommendations of elder statesmen like Emeka Anyaoku and others who are working tirelessly to propose long-term solutions for Nigeria’s survival and growth.”
Bucknor-Akerele, an active member of The Patriots, a respected socio-political advocacy group led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, emphasized the urgency of bold policy reforms over political calculations.
“This is not the time for 2027 politics. It’s the time to rebuild Nigeria,” she added. “The current administration must urgently rework the country’s economic and structural systems. That should be the priority — not a second term.”
She urged Tinubu’s advisers to steer the President toward a legacy of nation-building rather than premature electoral pursuits.
President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, is barely halfway through his first term.
However, recent political movements and strategic alignments within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have triggered speculations about an early re-election agenda — a move many critics view as premature and insensitive given the country’s pressing issues like inflation, insecurity, and widespread poverty.
Bucknor-Akerele’s remarks echo a growing sentiment among civic groups and thought leaders urging Tinubu to focus on delivering tangible results, especially in economic reform, national unity, and institutional accountability.
