A former personal assistant to the late Dr Doyin Okupe and former member of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Banwo Mayowa, has declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the administration should be given another term to consolidate its reforms.
Mayowa, who is now the South-West Coordinator of Batified Obidients, made his position known on Friday in Abuja in an address titled “2027: Look Beyond Politics, Think About Nigeria’s Future.”
He urged Nigerians to look beyond political affiliations and rivalries when evaluating the options before them in the 2027 general election, insisting that the country’s long-term interests should take precedence over partisan considerations.
“My position is clear: Nigeria must not allow political differences to overshadow the long-term national interest,” Mayowa said.
He argued that voters should assess the available evidence, consider the implications of ongoing economic reforms and determine whether the administration responsible for initiating them should be allowed to continue.
Mayowa identified the removal of the petrol subsidy regime and changes to the foreign exchange system as major policy decisions undertaken by Tinubu since he assumed office in May 2023.
According to him, such reforms involve difficult decisions that may require time before their intended benefits become fully apparent. He maintained that continuity could provide the government with an opportunity to consolidate its policies and pursue longer-term economic objectives.
His position comes amid an increasingly competitive political environment ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with political parties and advocacy groups making competing arguments about the country’s economic direction and leadership.
Tinubu’s economic reforms have generated significant debate, particularly over their effects on household purchasing power, transport costs, inflation and the cost of doing business. Supporters argue that the measures are necessary to address structural weaknesses in the economy, while critics have questioned the pace of implementation and the burden placed on ordinary Nigerians.
Mayowa’s endorsement is notable given his previous association with the Obi-Datti campaign, which supported Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election. However, his current political position reflects his own assessment of the Tinubu administration and does not, by itself, indicate a broader shift among former members of the campaign.
As political alignments continue to evolve ahead of 2027, debates over continuity, reform and alternative leadership proposals are likely to remain central to the presidential contest.