AS NIGERIA inches closer to the 2027 general elections, political dynamics are intensifying, with President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid drawing both staunch support and sharp opposition.
While key players in the oil-rich Niger Delta region rally behind him, opposition voices warn against what they describe as an attempt to “reward failure.”
The Explainer gathered that the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), an influential body representing oil and gas-producing areas, has thrown its weight behind Tinubu, citing his economic reforms and security efforts in the oil sector. Dr. Benjamin Style Tamaranebi (JP), HOSTCOM’s leader, made this declaration during a press briefing in Abuja, emphasising the need for continuity in governance.
“Politics is about choices. In 2027, Nigerians must choose between continuity and chaos, between stability and the unknown,” Tamaranebi asserted. “The future cannot be built in four years. It takes patience, persistence, and vision—qualities Tinubu has consistently demonstrated.”
Tamaranebi pointed to economic challenges Tinubu inherited, including plummeting crude oil production and excessive debt servicing, noting that his leadership had “turned the tide.”
According to figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigeria’s crude oil production has seen significant fluctuations over recent years. In 2023, the average daily production was approximately 1.515 million barrels per day (bpd), comprising 1.255 million bpd of oil and 260,194 bpd of condensate.
By January 2025, reports indicated that total oil production had increased to about 1.74 million bpd, marking a 5.7% year-on-year rise compared to January 2024.
Furthermore, NUPRC has set ambitious targets to further boost production, aiming for at least 2.1 million bpd by the end of 2025.
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“For decades, oil theft and pipeline vandalism crippled our economy, devastating the lives of host communities. Through strategic partnerships with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and other agencies, Tinubu has reduced oil theft to historic lows,” Tamaranebi added.
Beyond security, HOSTCOM also credited Tinubu’s administration for implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which has directed billions of naira into community trust funds for local development. Reports indicate that nearly 200 Niger Delta communities have benefitted from PIA-backed projects, including schools, hospitals, and water schemes.
However, opposition groups, particularly within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are rejecting the notion of Tinubu securing a second term. The Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) has declared that Nigerians are eager to “vote him out” due to economic hardship and governance failures.
Obinna Nwachukwu, the CP-PDP’s protem national coordinator, said in a statement: “Nigerians have made up their minds never to reward failure and purveying of hardship with re-election. No amount of electoral manoeuvrings, intimidation, or coercion will change that.”
Nwachukwu criticised Tinubu’s political moves in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly his reported decision to remove the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) upon request from Minister Nyesom Wike, allegedly for electoral gain.
“The partisan and politically motivated decision to expose public funds to opaque, reckless, and uncontrolled spending strips governance of the necessary transparency and accountability,” he alleged.
The FCT, widely seen as a PDP stronghold, is gearing up for a key electoral contest in 2026, with opposition figures accusing the APC of plotting to “capture” the capital through administrative manoeuvres. PDP leaders argue that such moves point to a government more focused on consolidating power than addressing economic and security concerns.
Yet, Tinubu’s supporters insist that his policies are yielding long-term benefits. The revival of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, coupled with the operational launch of the Dangote Refinery, has been highlighted as evidence of progress toward energy self-sufficiency.
