Tinubu Disowns 2027 Re-Election Posters, Says ‘Premature’

President Bola Tinubu has distanced himself from campaign billboards promoting his re-election bid in 2027.

According to Tinubu, such activities are premature and contradict electoral laws.
The presidency issued a statement on Sunday expressing dismay over the increasing number of billboards appearing in cities across Nigeria, especially Abuja and Kano.

These billboards feature images of President Tinubu and, in some cases, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land,” said Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday.

The presidency noted that Nigeria’s electoral law prohibits campaigning for elections outside approved dates.

“Premature campaigning can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create unfair advantages.

“As law-abiding leaders, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima do not support any action that undermines our institutions and the electoral process,” the statement added.

The presidency stressed that President Tinubu has not endorsed or authorised any individual or group to mount 2027 campaign posters through any media channels, including billboards, print, digital, radio, or television.

It urged those funding and deploying the campaign materials nationwide to cease immediately.

The presidency added that Tinubu and Shettima remain focused on their current mandate of nation-building, pointing to ongoing efforts in economic revitalisation, human capital development, infrastructural renewal, social investment, and national security.

It assured Nigerians that the president would inform them of his future political plans only when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially signals the commencement of processes for the 2027 elections.

Earlier, President Tinubu met with Mr Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for Africa in President Donald Trump’s administration, during a visit to Paris on Thursday.

The discussion centred on developing a strategic economic and security partnership between Nigeria, Africa, and the United States.

According to a statement by the presidency, the meeting was focused on building relationships anchored on “mutual respect, prosperity, and regional stability”.

The US State Department representative conveyed President Trump’s interest in deepening direct engagement with Nigeria as a cornerstone of US relations with Africa.

Trump’s administration expressed a desire to work closely with President Tinubu to expand American investment in Nigeria and across the African continent, support energy and infrastructure development, and align trade and job creation efforts.

Both sides also discussed actionable support and shared perspectives on regional peace issues, particularly regarding the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and across the Sahel region.

The U.S. advisor acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in regional and continental affairs and expressed support for President Tinubu’s interventions aimed at stabilising key African regions.

Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to build productive alliances with the United States, emphasising the importance of “transparency, opportunity, mutual respect and outcomes that strengthen Africa’s place in the global economy.”