President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said he believes God has granted his prayer for the wisdom and resilience to keep serving Nigerians, in remarks that have added to conversations about his political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, after performing Umrah, the lesser Hajj, Tinubu said: “I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted.” He recalled making a similar request before the 2023 elections and said he had returned to give thanks after what he described as a successful outcome.
The remarks came days after Tinubu flagged off his re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, which has drawn attention to their timing. However, he did not say God had guaranteed his re-election. He spoke of receiving the strength to continue serving, and referred to Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26, which recognises Allah as the ultimate owner of sovereignty, with the power to give and take power. The comments can therefore be read as an expression of personal faith and an acknowledgement of the responsibility that comes with political office.
For many Nigerians, the bigger question is how his administration’s performance will be judged. Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has introduced major reforms, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and changes to the foreign exchange system, which his government says are necessary for economic recovery and long-term stability. The reforms have also put pressure on households and businesses, with the cost of living, food prices, electricity supply, jobs and insecurity remaining major concerns. The President maintains that the economy is recovering and its foundation is solid. Voters will have to decide whether the benefits of those reforms are becoming visible in their daily lives.
Whether the statement is seen as personal faith or part of the wider political atmosphere, the question ahead of 2027 is not only whether Tinubu believes he has received the strength to continue, but whether Nigerians feel his administration has given them enough reasons to back him.
