2027 Re-election Bid Not What Nigeria Needs Now – Bucknor-Akerele Tells Tinubu

Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s alleged plans to seek re-election in 2027, describing such ambition as ill-timed and out of touch with the country’s pressing needs.

Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television breakfast programme, on Thursday, Bucknor-Akerele said Nigeria was grappling with deep-rooted socio-economic challenges that required urgent attention—not early politicking.

“Unfortunately, right now, what I see is that the president is looking for a second term and that seems to be his focus,” she said.

Bucknor-Akerele, who served as Tinubu’s deputy between 1999 and her resignation in 2002, is now an active member of The Patriots, a non-partisan coalition of statesmen and eminent Nigerians chaired by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

She stressed that the country’s leaders should look to national icons like Anyaoku and others who are focused on crafting long-term solutions for Nigeria’s future, rather than fixating on political succession.

“But I think he should try and look at what people like Emeka Anyaoku and so many others of that calibre sat down and they are trying to fashion something that is going to change Nigeria for the future generations,” she said.

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Expressing concern over what she described as misplaced priorities, the octogenarian urged the Tinubu administration to direct its energy toward systemic reforms that could rescue the nation from its current trajectory of decline.

“I hope that his advisers would be able to tell him that 2027 is not our priority right now; our priority right now is fashioning something that will be able to make Nigeria great again,” she added.

President Tinubu, elected in 2023, has faced mounting criticism over his handling of the economy and governance structure. Amid growing inflation, insecurity, and social discontent, questions have arisen regarding the administration’s focus and long-term strategy.

Bucknor-Akerele’s comments reflect broader concerns among civil society and elder statesmen who argue that Nigeria’s political class must prioritise national healing and institutional renewal over electoral ambition.