2027: Aiyedatiwa, Deji of Akure back Tinubu’s re-election

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, have expressed strong confidence in the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that his leadership has rescued Nigeria from economic collapse and set the country on the path of recovery.

The governor and monarch spoke in Akure during a visit by members of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju (SWAGA), where the group relaunched its mobilisation drive in Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa, while receiving the delegation, said Tinubu’s political experience and bold policy decisions have distinguished him as the only leader capable of steering Nigeria out of its previous economic crisis.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu, despite inheriting a country on the verge of systemic collapse, has made measurable progress, adding that the strides recorded under the present administration would ease the mobilisation efforts of support groups such as SWAGA.

He noted that the country was on the brink of collapse before Tinubu assumed office, citing excessive borrowing tied to crude oil and the printing of trillions of naira without corresponding productivity.

He said, “With his political manoeuvring, he is the only one that can do what we are seeing today. Even governors of opposition parties are decamping.

“How would Nigeria have become if he had not won? The economy was on the verge of collapse. But now, the economy is taking a new turn.

“The whole nation has seen the quality of the President we have. That is why people are joining him. He is a good leader.

“What I am trying to say in essence is that the whole nation has seen the quality of the president we have, and they’ve seen that there is no other alternative for now, that is why everybody has decided to join the president because he’s a good leader”

Aiyedatiwa further assured that Ondo State would deliver massive electoral support for the President, pledging that the state would mobilise no fewer than one million votes for Tinubu in the next election, expressing optimism that the President would secure widespread victory across the country.

He pledged his full support for SWAGA’s activities in the state and wished the group success in its relaunch coming up in Akure later in the day.

In his remarks, the Deji of Akure commended Tinubu for addressing long-standing developmental gaps in the state capital, particularly in the health and education sectors.

He recounted past challenges, including the absence of a functional tertiary health facility, which he said once contributed to avoidable loss of lives due to the inability to access emergency care locally.

The monarch also listed the establishment of an aviation school in Akure and the appointment of an indigene as a substantive minister among the President’s contributions to the area.

The monarch said, “You will help me thank Tinubu very well. Could you believe that Akure, a major state capital, only got a teaching hospital just about a year ago?

“Now, we have a functional tertiary health facility. We don’t have to travel to Lagos, Ife or Owo again for treatment.

“Secondly, on aviation development, Mr President has approved the establishment of an aviation school for the South-West, and Akure has been selected as the host city.

“This is a major boost for our people, as it will open up opportunities in training, employment and economic growth,”

Oba Aladelusi added that the growing influx of political actors into the ruling party was a reflection of Tinubu’s performance, stressing that the President does not compel anyone to join his party.

“They are coming because they see what he is doing. He said he does not want a one-party state, but he cannot push people away,” he said.

The traditional ruler expressed optimism about Tinubu’s second term, noting that it would further transform the country, while praying for the President’s good health.

Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign and Mobilisation Directorate for SWAGA, Dayo Adeyeye, described Tinubu as a courageous leader whose policies saved Nigeria from impending economic disaster.

“Somebody needed to rescue Nigeria, and Tinubu came on board. Without some of his key policies, Nigeria would have been completely bankrupt,” he said.

Adeyeye explained that the removal of fuel subsidy and other reforms were inevitable, noting that even previous administrations and major presidential candidates had acknowledged the unsustainability of the old system.

He cited the over N47 trillion “Ways and Means” financing by the Federal Government prior to Tinubu’s administration as a major factor that weakened the economy.

According to him, failure to act decisively could have led to hyperinflation, a worthless naira and the collapse of businesses.

“If not for these policies, a litre of fuel could have been selling for over N10,000 because there would be no money to import it. Most businesses would have collapsed,” he said.

He added that the reforms have since improved revenue for all tiers of government, enabling states and local governments to meet obligations, execute projects and stabilise public institutions.

“Today, state governments and local governments have more resources. Some states now have funds they could not have imagined before. Pensioners are being paid, and projects are ongoing,” Adeyeye stated.

The SWAGA chieftain pointed to initiatives such as student loan schemes, improved university funding and the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses as evidence that the administration’s policies are yielding results.

He also highlighted ongoing infrastructure development, including the construction of durable concrete roads.

“When people say the masses are not feeling it, I disagree. When you can collect your pension, when students can access loans, when transport becomes cheaper with CNG buses, people are feeling the impact.

“These are long-term projects. Some of these roads will last 100 years. That is the kind of thinking needed to move Nigeria forward,” he said.

While acknowledging initial challenges, Adeyeye maintained that the benefits of the reforms are already being felt at the grassroots, urging Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid to sustain the gains.

The SWAGA delegation said the Ondo visit was part of its renewed push to mobilise support for the President ahead of the next election cycle.