Why Ondo will vote Tinubu in 2027, by ex-speaker

Victor Olabimtan is former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) in Ondo State. In this interview with Correspondent TOSIN TOPE in Akure, he speaks on the objectives of the RHA, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms, grassroots mobilisation ahead of 2027, and internal reforms within the APC.

Can you briefly highlight the core objectives of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and how they align with President Tinubu’s national development agenda?

The Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) is a child of necessity, created to bridge the obvious communication gap between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the intended beneficiaries of government policies, programmes, and projects.

You know, when falsehoods are allowed to circulate repeatedly without correction, they risk being accepted as truth. The RHA exists to straighten the narrative, present facts as they are, and ensure Nigerians understand the realities of governance under the Tinubu administration.

Our core objective is two fold: to disseminate accurate and honest information from the federal government to Nigerians and to collect structured feedback from the grassroots for onward transmission to relevant authorities. This two-way engagement ensures inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability.

The RHA is a nationwide initiative designed to educate Nigerians on the reforms and opportunities embedded in the Renewed Hope Agenda. Through town halls, market engagements, faith-based visits, roadshows, and stakeholders’ forums, ambassadors translate government initiatives into simple, relatable, and practical terms.

Beyond public enlightenment, the RHA also strengthens party outreach and mobilization by connecting APC structures from the national level down to states, local governments, wards, and units. This fosters unity, consistent messaging, and effective engagement between elected officials and their constituents.

In essence, the RHA serves as a functional governance interface – delivering credible information from government to citizens, while channeling grassroots feedback back to government.

What specific programmes of the RHA are currently being implemented in Ondo State, and what impact have they made so far?

The RHA is still at its formative stage nationwide. The national, zonal, and state ambassadors have been inaugurated, with the Southwest zonal leadership ably led by Distinguished Senator Dayo Adeyeye – a man whose track record speaks for itself.

In Ondo state, we are adopting a bottom-up approach by consulting widely to establish RHA structures at the local government, ward, and unit levels. This is deliberate, as no community or group must be left behind.

The response from the people has been overwhelming. The most significant impact so far is the renewed confidence among citizens that, for the first time in Nigeria’s democratic history, a practical feedback mechanism is being institutionalized to connect them directly with the federal government.

So, soon, the RHA will swing fully into action nationwide, spreading awareness and endearing government policies to their rightful beneficiaries across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

How would you assess President Tinubu’s performance so far, especially in areas likely to shape his re-election campaign?

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Independent economic analyses have acknowledged the impact of President Tinubu’s reforms. A recent Quantus Economist report, analysed on Arise Television by Dr. Reuben Abati noted that the President’s policies helped stabilize an economy that was virtually on its knees when he assumed office.

Key reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, the elimination of dollar arbitrage, and foreign exchange market restructuring have repositioned the economy. The report identified 2024 as a turning point resulting from these bold policy decisions.

One of the administration’s biggest achievements is the naira-for-crude policy, introduced on October 1, 2024.

The policy allows local refineries to purchase crude oil in naira instead of dollars. It is projected to save Nigeria about $7.32 billion annually and reduce monthly forex spending on petroleum imports from $660 million to about $50 million.

This initiative strengthens the Naiira, boosts local refining capacity, reduces pressure on foreign exchange, encourages private investment-such as the Dangote Refinery-and enhances energy security. It is already easing the pains of subsidy removal and stabilizing the economy. These achievements, alongside improving food prices and fiscal stability, are strong pillars for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

President Tinubu has so far proved himself as a purposeful leader who is prepared for the job through his renewed hope agenda. The economy was not just in shambles when he took over; it was running on deficit with government at all levels struggling to pay salaries and meet other financial obligations.

All that are now in the past, and things are gradually getting better. The renewed hope agenda of the president is already yielding massive and visible results.

 So, what strategies are being deployed to mobilize grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general election?

Let me tell you, President Tinubu has remained focused on implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda, allowing results to speak louder than rhetoric. Every well-meaning observer can see the visible positive results, except the naysayers.

In whatever endeavour you find yourself, the greatest disservice you can do to yourself is to allow your oppositions or detractors to shape your narrative. As aforementioned, we are not where we ought to be yet, but we are equally far better than where we were before.

The RHA is a key mobilization strategy and designed to ensure Nigerians understand these results and how they benefit from them.

Our work is made easier because the reforms are already yielding visible outcomes. As we often say, we may not yet be where we desire to be, but we are far better than where we were before.

How is the campaign now addressing criticisms surrounding economic reforms?

The RHA was specifically designed to engage Nigerians at the grassroots, explaining both the sacrifices and the gains of the reforms. Governance is complex, and meaningful progress requires tough but necessary decisions. PBAT didn’t mince words when he pleaded with Nigerians to join hands with him in his quest to revive the economy.

This administration adopted a proactive, long-term, and goal-oriented approach, unlike previous reactionary policies. Positive change always demands sacrifice, but the signs are clear that Nigeria is emerging from the woods.

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For two years, we discussed our pains. Now, it is time to consolidate and celebrate our gains.

What achievements stand out as the strongest selling points for Tinubu’s re-election?

Without doubt, there are many achievements that can easily pass as the selling points of PBAT’s government.  The Naira-for-crude policy stands out as a masterstroke. It promotes domestic refining, conserves foreign exchange, stabilizes fuel prices, strengthens the naira, and positions Nigeria as a regional energy hub.

The initiative was predicted to save Nigeria $7.32 billion annually and reduce monthly forex expenditure on petroleum products from $660 million to $50 million. The policy was introduced on 1st of October, 2024, to allow local refineries to buy crude oil in naira, not dollars, to stabilize the currency, boost local refining, cut forex demand, and increase energy security by reducing reliance on imported refined products.

This policy enables domestic refining, using Naira for crude sourcing and generating refined products (like petrol) sold in naira, thereby strengthening the local economy, reducing dollar pressure, and making fuel cheaper for Nigerians.

The policy is gradually easing the pain inflicted by the removal of the fuel subsidy and also stabilizing the economy. The objectives of this policy are to encourage investment in Nigeria private refineries (like Dangote Refinery); reduce demand for dollars in the oil sector, ease pressure on the naira and boost confidence in the local currency; prevent dollars from leaving the country for crude purchases, keep value within the domestic economy; bring down the price of petrol at the pump and; make Nigeria more self-sufficient in refined products and position it as a regional supplier.

Now, the policy is already yielding visible results with long-term economic benefits as projected by PBAT. The purposeful leadership style of the president has also strengthened many state governments to embrace industrialization; a clear example is Ondo State. These are unique and undeniable achievements.

Additionally, President Tinubu’s leadership has empowered states to pursue industrialization, with Ondo State being a clear example. These are concrete, measurable achievements that cannot be wished away.

How prepared is the Ondo State RHA team for voter engagement and election-day mobilization?

The RHA is an offshoot of the APC that was created as part of the mobilization strategies to re-orientate Nigerians and let them know that we cannot go back to the era where people sleep in petrol stations just to buy fuel, where state governments have to reduce weekly workdays to three because salary couldn’t be paid or where higher institutions of learning were locked down for months due to incessant strike actions.

So, the Ondo State RHA is ready, even though we are still completing our formation process. Once the local government, ward, and unit structures are inaugurated, operations will fully commence.

Under the leadership of our governor, His Excellency Lucky Aiyedatiwa-who also serves as the Ondo State Chairman of RHA – we are confident of building a formidable and efficient structure.

There are reports of internal disagreements within the APC, How accurate are these claims?

Disagreements are natural in any political organization. The APC’s guiding principle is simple: you may disagree, but do not be disagreeable. There is no system that can accommodate or take care of all interests at a go. But as much as possible those agitations will be addressed one after the other. You will agree with me that despite the seeming internal disagreements, the APC has a way of resolving it crisis.

There are different layers of interventions in crisis management within the APC before the leader will step-in. Once the leader steps in the matter, it gets resolved immediately. What many describe as internal crises are largely agitations for recognition. The APC has well-established conflict-resolution mechanisms, and once leadership intervenes, issues are promptly resolved. This is why the party continues to grow stronger.

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Are there plans for internal reforms to strengthen party discipline and cohesion?

Yes. The APC is currently undergoing internal reforms. Recently, President Tinubu inaugurated a Committee on Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilization, chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, with Dr. Muiz Banire as Secretary.

The committee is tasked with developing inclusive, sustainable strategies ahead of 2027. Online membership registration is ongoing, and preparations for party congresses are underway.

The APC is evolving-not just as the largest party in Nigeria, but as the most organized. These reforms reaffirm the President’s commitment to ensuring that democracy works and does not fail.