Former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, has advised President Bola Tinubu to ignore political sycophants endorsing his re-election bid and instead focus on addressing the needs and concerns of ordinary Nigerians, who ultimately decide the outcome of elections.
Suswam’s comments follow a wave of endorsements for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, including a vote of confidence passed by governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leadership of the National Assembly on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
The party’s National Executive Committee had also adopted the decision.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, stated that Forum members were satisfied with the President’s midterm performance, especially under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also backing the president, Senate President Godswill Akpabio remarked, “If he has not done well, is it not we that will give him notice of impeachment?”
However, speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Suswam urged the President to look beyond political praise singers.
“I don’t have any problem with a sitting president seeking re-election if things are going well,” Suswam said.
“But let’s not forget, the most difficult election to contest is one against the people, not political parties,” he added.
He referenced the 2023 presidential election, noting that Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, despite lacking the support of governors or senators, still polled over five million votes, and in many areas, “he was believed to have won but was rigged out.
“My advice to the President is to focus on Nigerians. Forget the sycophants and political parties. In many instances, even strong presidents were removed by their parties. But it is worse when you lose the people.
“So, face the people, they are the real force in any democracy.”
