President Bola Tinubu has faced criticism on social media following a fresh set of campaign promises he made at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Dutse, Jigawa State.
Tinubu, who is seeking re-election in 2027, pledged to improve electricity supply, reduce the cost of living, strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base, support small businesses, create more jobs and introduce interest-free loans for farmers.
Speaking at the rally on Tuesday, the President said his administration would provide reliable electricity and address challenges associated with the current power sector arrangement.
“We will reduce the cost of living. We will provide reliable power, not the whole privatisation that is not working. We provide you with reliable power in Nigeria,” he said.
He also promised to stimulate industrial growth, support nano, small and medium-scale businesses, and expand employment opportunities.
On agriculture, Tinubu said his government would subsidise farming, reward small-scale farmers and provide interest-free loans to improve food production and strengthen food security.
However, the promises attracted criticism from Nigerians who questioned why the President was making fresh commitments on issues they said remained unresolved after more than three years in office.
A major point raised by critics was the similarity between the latest electricity pledge and Tinubu’s promise during the 2023 presidential campaign.
At the time, Tinubu had promised that Nigerians would enjoy improved electricity supply and no longer pay estimated electricity bills. He also challenged voters not to re-elect him if he failed to fulfil the promise, unless he provided adequate reasons for not delivering.
The earlier commitment resurfaced in the latest online reactions, with several users asking whether the President was contesting for the first time rather than seeking another term after serving in office.
One social media user, @tobechiohaeri, questioned the fresh promises, arguing that Nigerians had already waited for improvements in electricity supply and other sectors.
Another user, @hon_yaroo, described the promises as commitments made before without sufficient delivery, while @akpancino said voters should not be deceived by repeated assurances.
Other reactions focused on electricity supply, the cost of living and the state of Nigeria’s industries. Some users also expressed disappointment over what they described as the slow revival of manufacturing and the continued challenges facing businesses and households.
One commenter, @Aminuidaah, said expectations that the removal of fuel subsidy would help revive industries such as steel and textiles had not been met, while also raising concerns about persistent electricity shortages.
Tinubu’s latest promises come as political parties and candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with the economy, electricity, employment, agriculture and security expected to remain major issues in the campaign.
The President’s commitments at the Dutse rally have therefore renewed public debate over the performance of his administration and the extent to which its promises from the 2023 campaign have been fulfilled.
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