Less than two days after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and signalled his candidacy in the 2027 presidential contest, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded with his preparedness signal. He did this by appointing Governor Hope Uzodinma as his Renewed Hope Ambassador, a role like the Director General of
Less than two days after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and signalled his candidacy in the 2027 presidential contest, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu responded with his preparedness signal. He did this by appointing Governor Hope Uzodinma as his Renewed Hope Ambassador, a role like the Director General of his second-term campaign.
Governor Uzodinma’s appointment precedes the upcoming national launch of the Federal Government’s Ward Development Programme. In this role, he will also serve as the Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation, signifying that the initiative may function as a platform for partisan mobilisation.
He is expected to work with the APC governors, who have also been designated as Ambassadors of Hope. For quite some time, billboards praising the President have adorned the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The Lagos State chapter of the APC has also adopted the President as the sole presidential candidate for the party in the 2027 election.
It remains uncertain whether the 2027 presidential election will mirror the two-candidate race or feature three main contenders as seen in 2023. The potential involvement of Mr Peter Obi is also unclear at this point. While he has expressed interest in joining the coalition that has become the ADC, he has not officially signed up as a member. Meanwhile, the Labour Party—the platform he used in the previous election—is facing internal turmoil and may no longer be a suitable option for him.
Although the official election notice has yet to be released—let alone the ban on campaigns being lifted—political manoeuvring and related activities have already begun to overshadow governance, both at the state and national levels. Similar to the 2015 presidential race, issues of insecurity and citizens’ well-being are expected to be central themes in the upcoming campaign. Many believe Nigerians have faced significant hardship since President Tinubu announced the removal of the subsidy during his inauguration.
A statement from the presidency on the appointment of Governor Hope Uzodinma did not disguise the intents and purposes of his assignment. The statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, partly reads:
“Ahead of the national launch of the Federal Government’s Ward Development Programme, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the Renewed Hope Ambassador.
“In his role as ambassador, he will double as the Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement and Mobilisation, declared President Tinubu’s Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday.
“With the appointment, which takes immediate effect, Governor Uzodimma will be responsible, in collaboration with the All Progressives Congress leadership and the governors, for evangelising the Tinubu administration’s programme.
“As Renewed Hope Ambassador, Governor Uzodimma, who also chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, will ensure harmony, inclusiveness and strategic coordination across all levels of the party. He will also be involved in mobilising and engaging people.
He will work with the APC governors, who will also be Ambassadors of Hope.
“President Tinubu expects Governor Uzodimma and his colleagues to promote and disseminate the party’s achievements and milestones since 2023, thereby reinforcing the message of Renewed Hope nationwide.”
President Tinubu took office in May 2023 with a reform agenda that is already yielding positive outcomes for the Nigerian economy. “Inflation, once a nightmare, eased for the seventh month in a row to 16.05 per cent in October. The exchange rate has stabilised. Foreign Exchange reserves reached over $46 billion this month, up from $32 billion and a net reserve of $4 billion inherited in 2023.
“Investor confidence in the Nigerian economy is back, with both FDI and Portfolio investments on the increase, with the oil and gas sector a significant beneficiary. The stock market is enjoying an unprecedented boom. The economy is being diversified, with solid minerals playing a pivotal role. The government’s liberal educational loan policy has enrolled over 700,000 students. Nigerians do not need to wait longer than one week to get a travel passport.”
In a message to the Renewed Hope Ambassador, President Tinubu asked Governor Uzodimma to ensure that Nigerians are aware of and understand the administration’s achievements.
