2027: Opposition cannot match Tinubu’s political sagacity, Hilliard Etta declares
Former Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hilliard Etta, has expressed confidence that Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains well-positioned ahead of the 2027 general elections. Etta, who is
- ...says Tinubu’s policies are bold, not harmful
Former Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hilliard Etta, has expressed confidence that Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains well-positioned ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Etta, who is Chairman-designate of the Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), made the remarks in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
He defended the administration’s economic reforms, describing them as deliberate measures aimed at achieving long-term industrial and financial growth.
Etta also downplayed ongoing alignments among opposition parties, maintaining that the current administration remains focused on its Renewed Hope agenda, while characterising present economic challenges as part of a broader transition towards stability and sustainability.
Reflecting on the political landscape ahead of the next election cycle, he said the President’s experience in navigating complex political dynamics during the 2023 elections underscores his resilience and capacity ahead of future contests.
He recalled that Tinubu successfully navigated challenges from within his own party and the "Aso Rock cabal" during the last APC primary season.
"Don't forget, in 2023, Tinubu contested against the APC-arranged consensus candidate tilted towards former Senate President Ahmed Lawan. He also fought against the Aso Rock cabal... if he navigated through such internal political obstacles in the past to emerge as the candidate and subsequent victor, is it now that he is the sitting President that the opposition groupings would square up to defeat him?"
Addressing the outcry over the rising cost of living, Etta maintained that the President's economic policies are "bold" rather than harmful.
He took a swipe at opposition figures who now criticize the removal of the fuel subsidy, noting that all major candidates in 2023 had promised to implement the same policy.
"They keep saying they would have done it differently, then show us how to do it, or are you not a Nigerian? APC would welcome ideas from anyone, irrespective of party affiliation, to advance the country's progress. However, the funds accruing from oil subsidy removal are appropriately applied to building infrastructure across the country."
On the controversial floating of the Naira, the APC chieftain argued that the move was essential to ending the "illicit dollar trade" by influential individuals who previously exploited the gap between official and black-market rates
"Today, there isn't much difference between official and black-market rates," he added, noting that the policy has restored confidence in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
He emphasised that international investors are already returning to Nigeria’s strategic sectors, signaling an improvement in national productivity that will be evident by the time the next polls open.
