President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing criticism from opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, for allegedly engaging in an early 2027 re-election campaign disguised as a governance project.
The RHA initiative is led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is tasked with coordinating the Tinubu administration’s programs and ensuring Nigerians are aware of the administration’s achievements and milestones since 2023. The mandate, according to the Presidency, also includes serving as Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilisation.
The criticism follows the recent appointment of State Coordinators for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) and the distribution of brand-new, branded luxury vehicles, including Hummer Buses and Toyota SUVs, to these mobilisers across the country. The opposition stresses that the move is insensitive, violates the Electoral Act, and confirms the misplaced priorities of the government amid escalating insecurity and economic hardship.
The PDP, ADC, and Peter Obi all voiced objections, interpreting the RHA and vehicle distribution as a premature campaign structure for 2027.
Launching his re-election campaign under the guise of Renewed Hope Ambassadors is… a cynically insensitive action that makes nonsense of the emergency declaration itself – ADC
Peter Obi described the allocation of resources to purchase luxury vehicles like the new Toyota Hilux (which can cost N65 million to over N150 million and Toyota Hiace buses up to N68 million for a new 2024 model for political mobilization) as moral failure and a tragic misplacement of priorities.
The decision to allocate scarce resources to purchase and distribute luxury vehicles is not only insensitive but represents a serious moral failure – Peter Obi
Geopolitical Zone Coordinator appointed, includes, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (Former Delta Governor), Isa Yuguda (Former Bauchi Governor), Aminu Bello Masari (Former Katsina Governor), Anyim Pius Anyim (Former Senate President), Oladipupo Oyinbande, Umar Tanko Al-Makura (Former Nasarawa Governor).
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied that the RHA activities are linked to the 2027 election, insisting the party has not violated the Electoral Act.
APC National Director of Publicity, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, argued that the RHA was established to rebuild public confidence and renew the confidence of the people regarding the performance of the government, not to campaign for 2027.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, previously stated that Uzodimma’s role is to ensure harmony and to coordinate the structure of the party while disseminating the achievements of the administration and milestones since 2023.
Meanwhile, INEC had previously expressed concern that Section 94, 1 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which prohibits campaigns more than 150 days before an election, is flouted, stating that the commission has limited power to impose sanctions on violators.
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