Dare Babalola
Political discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections has intensified following fresh allegations by Timi Frank, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, who has raised concerns about what he described as a growing centralisation of power under the current administration.
In a statement issued on Monday, Frank alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may be considering relocating Nigeria’s capital from Abuja to Lagos if re-elected in 2027, a claim that has yet to receive any official confirmation from the presidency.
Framing his concerns within a broader governance context, Frank argued that recent policy directions suggest a pattern that disproportionately favours Lagos State.
“It is now clear that the President’s long-term plan is to concentrate political and economic power in Lagos if given another term in office,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as a one-sided approach to governance, warning that such a trend could undermine national unity and inclusiveness.
“We do not want a president who is one-sided,” Frank stated.
The former APC chieftain also questioned the distribution of federal appointments and development initiatives, alleging that key regions have been sidelined in critical sectors of the economy.
“Where are Tinubu’s MOUs tied to agricultural and livestock production in the North, industrial development in the Southeast, and oil and gas development in the South-South? None!” he said.
Frank warned that the perceived imbalance has contributed to growing dissatisfaction across the country, adding that feelings of exclusion could deepen if not urgently addressed.
“There is a growing sense of alienation and division among Nigerians that is deeply troubling,” he added.
He further alleged that the current trajectory of governance could have wider political implications as the 2027 elections approach.
“It appears to be a deliberate strategy to impoverish certain regions… so that citizens are economically weakened ahead of the 2027 election cycle,” Frank stated.
As of the time of filing this report, the presidency has not issued any response to the claims. However, the allegations are likely to fuel ongoing debates around equity, national unity and governance as political activities gradually build toward the next general elections.
