Elderly citizens back Tinubu, promise to deliver 24m votes in 2027

Dr. Bode Olanipekun, Director-General and National Coordinator of the pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) support group, Renewed Hope for the Elderly (RHE), has a daunting task ahead of him. As the group pledges to mobilise 24 million elderly Nigerians to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, Olanipekun's words carry significant weight. With a career spanning decades, he has seen the impact of election outcomes on the lives of ordinary Nigerians, and he believes that the elderly have played a crucial role in shaping these outcomes. Now, he aims to harness this demographic to secure Tinubu's re-election bid.

According to Olanipekun, the group's decision to mobilise elderly voters is informed by the significant role senior citizens have historically played in determining election outcomes. He cites the 24.7 million total votes cast in the 2023 presidential election, pointing out that 6.1 million of these votes came from the elderly and senior citizen category. This trend, he argues, has remained consistent in previous elections, with the exception of 2019, when increased youth participation, driven largely by social media awareness, altered the voting pattern. RHE's projection of 24 million votes from elderly Nigerians in the 2027 election is a bold claim, but Olanipekun is confident that his group can deliver.

Olanipekun's emphasis on the welfare of elderly Nigerians is rooted in the group's conviction that older persons deserve dignity and adequate support after years of service to the country. He commends the Federal Government for strengthening the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), describing it as evidence of a renewed commitment to addressing the needs of senior citizens. The administration's initiatives, including pension reforms, improved retirement welfare, expanded access to specialised geriatric healthcare, and programmes aimed at promoting healthy and active ageing, are seen as a positive step towards improving the lives of elderly Nigerians.

The RHE's endorsement of Tinubu's re-election bid is based on his administration's commitment to improving the welfare, social protection, and political inclusion of senior citizens through targeted policies and programmes. Olanipekun praises initiatives by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, including gardening and subsistence farming programmes for elderly citizens, saying they promote food security and provide a sense of purpose for older Nigerians. This commitment to the welfare of elderly Nigerians is seen as a key factor in RHE's decision to back Tinubu's re-election bid.

RHE's mobilisation of elderly voters is part of a broader trend in African politics, where age-focused politics is becoming increasingly important. In many countries, the elderly are seen as a critical demographic, with the power to influence election outcomes. This trend is driven by the growing recognition of the importance of intergenerational relationships and the need to address the needs of older citizens. As the global population ages, African countries are likely to see a continued increase in the number of elderly voters, making RHE's efforts all the more significant.

As RHE embarks on its ambitious project to mobilise 24 million elderly Nigerians, Olanipekun's words are evidence of the group's confidence in their ability to deliver. With the 2027 presidential election just around the corner, the stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain. However, if RHE's efforts are successful, it could have significant implications for the future of Nigerian politics, with the elderly playing an increasingly important role in shaping the country's direction.

As the 2027 presidential election approaches, one thing is certain: the elderly will be. With RHE's mobilisation efforts in full swing, President Tinubu will be counting on the votes of millions of elderly Nigerians to secure his re-election bid., will RHE's gamble pay off?