A member of the 2023 Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje has urged supporters of President Bola Tinubu who feel disappointed with his administration to exercise patience and political maturity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Alawuje in a special message to Nigerians who worked for Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election acknowledged the frustrations of former campaign supporters who believe their contributions of time resources and energy have not been adequately recognised.
He cautioned them however against letting personal disappointments influence their political decisions or push them toward alternatives without carefully assessing the records and capacity of other political contenders.
Reaffirming his position on Tinubu’s presidency Alawuje said the President should be given the opportunity to demonstrate the full impact of his reform agenda within his constitutionally guaranteed tenure while remaining accountable to Nigerians.
‘My position remains that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the opportunity to demonstrate the full results of his reform agenda within his constitutionally guaranteed tenure while remaining accountable to Nigerians’ he said.
He urged Nigerians particularly those who participated in the 2023 presidential campaign to place national responsibility above personal grievances.
Quoting a piece of advice Alawuje said: ‘Don’t make decisions and particularly don’t speak when you are angry. Otherwise you may end up adding more unbearable pepper to the very wounds that caused your anger in the first place.’
He noted that many supporters had sacrificed their personal comfort finances and other opportunities to promote Tinubu’s candidacy enduring difficult campaign conditions and defending the President against political criticism.
‘You deserve to be heard. Your sacrifices deserve recognition. Your concerns deserve attention’ he said.
Alawuje however warned that disappointment should not become a reason to abandon political convictions or return to political interests supporters had previously worked to displace.
‘Let your disappointment not become your political destruction. Let your anger not become an instrument for restoring the very political interests you once worked tirelessly to displace’ he appealed.
On the emerging political permutations ahead of 2027 Alawuje argued that opposition politicians must go beyond criticising the Tinubu administration and show what they would do differently if given another opportunity to govern.
‘Have temporary economic difficulties completely erased our political memories? Must the pain of today make us romanticise the disappointments of yesterday?’ he queried.
He noted that while Nigerians had legitimate reasons to complain about the prevailing economic situation such frustrations should not prevent them from objectively assessing the records of politicians seeking power.
Alawuje acknowledged the realities of rising food prices transportation costs unemployment and other economic difficulties stressing that support for Tinubu should not mean ignoring the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
He also cautioned the ruling party against interpreting the opposition’s perceived weaknesses as evidence of public satisfaction.
‘Nigerians deserve better and the administration must continually earn their confidence’ he said.
On the economy Alawuje said Tinubu inherited serious structural challenges arguing that the administration’s economic reforms including fuel subsidy removal and changes to the foreign exchange system were difficult decisions whose consequences had significantly affected Nigerians.
While acknowledging the argument for economic restructuring he insisted that government must prioritise measures to cushion the effects of its policies on citizens.
‘The responsibility of government is not merely to introduce reforms; it is also to ensure that the people survive those reforms’ he stated.
He maintained that the success of the Renewed Hope agenda should be judged not merely by government intentions but by its impact on Nigerians’ living conditions.
‘The success of the Renewed Hope agenda must ultimately be measured by improvements in the lives of Nigerians not simply by the intentions of those implementing it’ he added.
The political advocate also appealed directly to President Tinubu to recognise the sacrifices of those who worked for his electoral victory insisting that genuine campaign supporters should not be forgotten after elections.
He observed that many campaigners were disappointed because their loyalty and contributions had not translated into the recognition and opportunities they expected.
Addressing the president Alawuje said ‘Those who stood with you in 2023 are human beings with families responsibilities aspirations and legitimate expectations.
‘They are not political statistics. They are not disposable campaign materials. They are not people whose usefulness ended immediately after the declaration of election results.’
He urged the president to ensure fairness in political appointments and opportunities while recognising the contributions of those who genuinely worked for the presidential campaign’s success.
According to him although political loyalty should not replace merit merit should not be used to overlook genuine contributions to the administration’s emergence.
‘The Renewed Hope agenda must also renew the hopes of those who worked to make it possible’ he said.
Alawuje further urged the administration to address the concerns of aggrieved supporters and ensure that those who invested in the political project did not feel abandoned.
Alawuje also challenged opposition politicians particularly former public officeholders to explain their previous records in government and present clear policy alternatives to Nigerians.
He argued that merely highlighting the economic difficulties confronting citizens was insufficient without offering practical solutions.
Despite his appeal for patience Alawuje insisted that supporters of the president must not abandon their responsibility to demand accountability better governance and tangible improvements in the economy.
He said Nigerians had every right to question unfulfilled promises criticise government policies and demand effective measures to ease economic hardship.
He called for greater accountability from the Tinubu administration improved living conditions for Nigerians and recognition of the contributions of those who worked for the president’s electoral victory.