President Bola Tinubu must make national unity a priority as he seeks re-election in 2027, ensuring that Nigerians across regional, religious and political divides feel included in his administration, political analyst and publisher of 9News Nigeria, Obinna Ejianya, has said.
Speaking during an interview on BusinessDay’s Business Morning Live, Ejianya said the president’s ambition to retain office must be accompanied by leadership that gives every section of the country a sense of belonging. He argued that political harmony and credible efforts to address insecurity would be essential to strengthening public trust and business confidence ahead of the elections.
According to him, the signals coming from the government will influence how both Nigerians and foreign investors assess the country’s prospects before and after the polls.
“First of all, the government of the day right now should start demonstrating that this is a government of inclusivity,” Ejianya said.
He explained that such inclusion must extend across regions, political blocs and religious communities, adding that “every part of the people of this country should feel safe that they are part and parcel of what’s going on.”
Ejianya urged the administration to place peace, unity and security at the centre of its approach to the approaching elections, warning that divisive rhetoric would deepen uncertainty at a time when the country needs greater confidence in its political and economic future.
“I think the government of the day, while we are looking forward to the 2027 presidential election, should start the mantra of peace and unity, the mantra of security,” he said.
“We should not echo the mantra of division anymore.”
He maintained that Tinubu’s role as a political contender seeking another term must remain consistent with his responsibility to govern the entire country.
“Even though he still has to play the role of a politician that wants to retain his power, he still has to demonstrate that he’s still the president for everyone,” Ejianya said.
Drawing on his experience as a businessman with foreign partners, Ejianya said concerns about insecurity and the possibility of election-related disturbances were already weighing on investment decisions.
He explained that investors were considering whether the electoral process would be peaceful and whether disputes arising from the outcome could create further instability.
“I have foreign partners. Right now, everybody is sceptical,” he said, referring to the concerns within his business relationships.
“They are not even sure if the election process will be peaceful enough.”
Ejianya described insecurity as a significant concern for businesses, arguing that persistent threats to lives and property make it harder for investors to predict operating conditions or commit resources with confidence.
He also warned that unresolved insecurity could be exploited by political interest groups to create further confusion, making it necessary for the government to demonstrate clear progress in protecting communities.
“If insecurity keeps proliferating towards every part of the country, that actually weighs on the confidence of investors and business people,” he said.
Recalling former President Goodluck Jonathan’s handling of the 2015 election outcome, Ejianya said the international community pays attention to the conduct of Nigerian political leaders and the messages their actions convey about stability.
He argued that inclusive governance, political restraint and a credible commitment to public safety would help reassure investors that the country could manage political competition without undermining economic activity.
Ejianya also linked business confidence to continuity in government policy, saying uncertainty grows when successive administrations abandon existing policies to accommodate their own political interests.
“Once there’s no consistency and continuity in economic policies, that creates a lack of trust and confidence in the minds of investors,” he said.
He maintained that the government’s task ahead of 2027 was to build confidence through its conduct: making citizens feel represented, addressing insecurity and demonstrating that national cohesion remains a governing priority throughout the election season.
