Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has warned that President Bola Tinubu risks losing re-election in 2027 if urgent steps are not taken to address growing dissatisfaction, particularly in the North.

Lawal, once a close ally of Tinubu, criticized the administration’s economic policies, arguing that they have worsened poverty and hardship nationwide.

“Let him run a good programme that will remove poverty in the land. It’s not about him but his bad policies. They are throwing every Nigerian, particularly the North, into distress. Let him make good policies. Let him listen,” Lawal said in an interview.

He also accused the government of suppressing dissent, alleging that critics of Tinubu’s policies are being silenced.

Lawal warned of a potential political backlash similar to the 2015 election, when former President Goodluck Jonathan lost despite heavy campaign spending.

“In 2015, Jonathan spent a lot of money, people collected it and promised votes, but they stayed at home and didn’t vote. The same could happen in 2027,” he cautioned.

His remarks highlight the mounting pressure on the Tinubu administration to address economic grievances ahead of the next election.