Nigeria’s Tinubu launches re-election campaign as economic pain tests support

KADUNA, Oct 24 (Reuters) – President Bola Tinubu formally launched his campaign for a second term on Saturday in the northern city of Kaduna, where he sought to convince voters that painful economic reforms are beginning to pay off despite a lingering cost-of-living crisis.

Tinubu, 74, faces a contest ahead of a January 16 election that is likely to be dominated by the economy and security. His main challengers include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who finished second and third respectively in 2023.

By midday, thousands of supporters of the president’s All Progressives Congress party had filled much of the 10,000-capacity Ranchers Bees Stadium, with more arriving as the rally got underway.

Thank you for this massive showing up. It is a promise. Come 2027, January 16, you must go out massively and elect me again.

Since taking office in 2023, Tinubu has scrapped fuel subsidies, devalued the naira and introduced other reforms credited with improving public finances, foreign reserves and investor sentiment.

Phrank Shaibu, a spokesperson for the Atiku campaign, told Reuters the president was attempting to dodge responsibility.

Tinubu nevertheless enters the race with a formidable political machine. His camp says he has the backing of 32 of Nigeria’s 36 state governors, potentially giving him an unprecedented advantage.

Tinubu has said he will not attend campaign rallies in all 36 states as he needs to remain focused on governing.