“Beating Tinubu in 2027 Will Be an Uphill Task, Obi’s Rhetoric Won’t Work Again” — Biodun Olujimi

Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Olujimi, has said that Peter Obi’s political messaging will not be enough to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election. Speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, Olujimi argued that Obi’s appeal in the 2023 election was driven largely by rhetoric that may no longer resonate with voters in future contests.

“The rhetoric of the last election will not work again, unless he comes with another gimmick. And you see, this (Tinubu) is a politician, a man who knows the terrain well,” she said.

Olujimi, a former Senate Minority Leader, described Tinubu as a deeply experienced political figure with an expansive national network. She noted that Nigeria, for the first time, has a “dyed-in-the-wool politician” as president—someone she said “knows his onions” and has been actively engaged in the political process for decades. “Beating him? Uphill task,” she added.

Having recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Olujimi praised what she described as a new, more pragmatic approach by the Tinubu-led administration. She contrasted the current government’s decisiveness with previous administrations, suggesting Tinubu’s leadership does not retreat from tough policy decisions in the face of public resistance. “This government is pragmatic. It’s resolute; it’s taking tough decisions and running with the decisions,” she said.

Explaining her move to the APC, Olujimi said it was the direction and resolve of the Tinubu administration—not pressure or political deals—that convinced her to switch parties. She emphasized that the APC of today is different from what it was under previous leadership.

Olujimi also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claiming it failed to adjust to the role of an opposition party after losing the 2023 election. According to her, the PDP behaved as though it were still in power and missed the opportunity to reposition itself. She dismissed speculation about joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the party lacks the political structure necessary to make an impact in Ekiti State or beyond.