An advocacy and political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), ‘The Renewal Group’, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 presidential election, citing political stability, economic reforms and the principle of rotational presidency as key reasons for its decision.
The group also endorsed the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, for the Lagos governorship position, describing him as a grassroots politician with deep experience in governance.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, the convener of the group, Mr Lai Omotola, said the endorsement became necessary after a review of the administration’s performance over the last three years and consultations among members.
According to him, the presidency should remain in the South in line with the nation’s power-sharing arrangement.
“On theBased onional presidency, it is obvious that it is still the turn of the South, and on that basis, the presidency should remain in the South,” he stated.
Omotola argued that allowing President Tinubu to complete a second term would ensure continuity and political stability, adding that the country was currently witnessing improved cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
He also pointed to increased revenue generation by state governments and improvements in the stock market as signs of economic progress under the current administration.
“For the first time in a long while, there is political stability and alignment between the executive and the legislature,” he said.
While acknowledging the economic and infrastructural challenges facing Nigerians, the group maintained that continuity in leadership would provide an opportunity for ongoing reforms to mature.
The group predicted that the 2027 elections would witness one of the highest voter turnouts in recent history, noting that citizens were becoming increasingly interested in political participation.
Speaking on Lagos politics, the convener described Hamzat’s emergence as significant, saying it would mark the first time a deputy governor would organically succeed a sitting governor in the state.
He noted that Lagos continued to face mounting infrastructural pressure due to population growth and migration, expressing optimism that the governorship candidate would prioritise infrastructure renewal and urban development if elected.
Omotola also commented on the opposition, saying opposition parties had yet to produce a unifying figure capable of mounting a strong challenge in the next election cycle.
On Nigeria’s economy, he stressed the need for productivity and industrialisation, insisting that poverty could only be reduced through increased production, functioning factories, construction activities and sustainable economic policies.
“The only way to beat poverty is by being productive. Nigerians must work and the economy must become productive,” he said.
He, however, criticised vague political promises about industrialisation, insisting that leaders must present practical and detailed plans for solving challenges in the power sector and industrial development.
According to him, solving Nigeria’s issues, particularly the electricity issue, is central to any meaningful industrial growth agenda.
The convener also advised politicians who lost during party primaries not to become discouraged, saying political setbacks were temporary and part of democratic practice.
He cited Hamzat’s previous electoral losses as evidence that persistence in politics often yields future success.
