President Bola Tinubu has publicly declared that he will seek a second term in office, officially confirming his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The President made the announcement on Friday while receiving a delegation from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Sania Nishtar, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
During the meeting, Gavi announced a commitment of more than $500 million over the next five years to support vaccination programmes in Nigeria.
While appreciating the organisation for its continued partnership with Nigeria, Tinubu revealed that the country was approaching another election cycle and expressed hope that Gavi would continue working with his administration.
“The partnership is cherished, and yes, it’s becoming an election year. I’m going to be seeking a return, so I hope you continue to be our partner,” the President said.
Tinubu also described vaccine development and immunisation as vital investments in Africa’s future, thanking Gavi for its commitment to improving healthcare across the continent.
“So I had to adjust myself to definitely be able to see you and give you this assurance and to say thank you very much for the commitment to humanity,” he said.
“The wonderful job of Gavi and the team is well appreciated, and the programme of acceleration for the production of the vaccines in Nigeria is empowering the continent.”
The President further praised the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate, for leading reforms in Nigeria’s health sector.
Earlier in the meeting, Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar announced that despite a decline in global development assistance, the alliance would continue supporting Nigeria’s immunisation efforts with funding exceeding $500 million over the next five years.
Tinubu’s declaration comes just days after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, predicted that the President would secure victory in the 2027 election.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Keyamo dismissed the chances of opposition candidates, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
“I’m looking around. Between you and me, where will Obi’s votes come from? I can’t see it,” Keyamo said.
He also brushed aside suggestions that Atiku would pose a serious challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “Atiku, who?… Look, listen. I want to make a profound closing statement. Not out of arrogance. Not out of overconfidence. But out of pure demographic calculations. The 2027 election is a coronation, not an election. I repeat, don’t take me out of context. Out of pure demographic calculations, it’s a coronation.”
When asked whether his remarks suggested the election would be rigged, the minister rejected the interpretation.
He said, “You see yourself. You heard what I said. Demographic calculations. You are taking it somewhere else. I didn’t say that.”
