President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid has early backing from Mayowa Alakija, coordinator of Renewed Hope Advocacy in Oshodi Local Government Area, Lagos. The group, distinct from Renewed Hope Ambassadors, is mobilising support for Tinubu's 2027 campaign. Alakija says the focus is on educating the public on Tinubu's economic policies, which he describes as transformative despite initial unpopularity. He credits the administration with reviving the economy, citing a shift from a -0.5 per cent growth rate to positive global assessments by institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Alakija argues that Tinubu's decision to end fuel subsidies and reform foreign exchange policies, though politically costly, has restored Nigeria's economic standing. He claims the impact is now visible and measurable across sectors, particularly among youth and students. As coordinator, Alakija is mapping a grassroots campaign across polling units, targeting at least 100,000 votes in the Oshodi community alone. Voter turnout in the area has historically been below 25 per cent, with over 180,000 registered voters in Oshodi and more than 370,000 across Isolo and Ejigbo. The group is starting early, using data analysis to drive engagement among ethnic and religious groups.
Mayowa Alakija's early mobilisation reveals how much political capital hinges on Tinubu's economic narrative, even as many Nigerians still grapple with its daily costs. His claim of a revived economy backed by World Bank and IMF assessments contrasts sharply with lived realities for millions facing high prices and unemployment. If voter turnout remains under 25 per cent, even a well-organised advocacy group like Renewed Hope Advocacy may be chasing numbers that don't reflect public sentiment. The real test isn't data analysis—it's whether people will reward policies that are praised internationally but feel punishing at home.
