Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has described President Bola Tinubu as a “master strategist” following his endorsement for re-election by former Defence Minister, General T.Y. Danjuma (retd.), and other Christian leaders from the Middle Belt.
Oseni, however, questioned whether the backing of influential political and religious figures would translate into actual votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The broadcaster made the remarks on Monday during an edition of Arise Television’s The Morning Show, where he analysed the political implications of Danjuma’s endorsement and the presence of other prominent personalities, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, at the meeting.
Describing the endorsement as a significant political boost for the President, Oseni argued that support from influential individuals did not necessarily reflect the sentiments of ordinary Nigerians.
“Good endorsement for President Tinubu because it was not only T.Y. Danjuma that I saw at that meeting; there were a couple of other Christian leaders in the Middle Belt and the like,” he said.
“Good one for him, but the question is, will it trickle down? You see, the thing about elite endorsement is that elite endorsement gears towards the elites.”
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Oseni argued that Nigeria’s political landscape was characterised by a divide between an influential elite class that had benefited from government patronage and ordinary citizens struggling to meet their basic needs.
He maintained that while some members of the elite had enjoyed government contracts, rent-seeking opportunities and access to political power, many Nigerians had yet to experience meaningful benefits from the country’s resources.
According to him, ordinary citizens were more concerned about access to potable water, security and the protection of lives and property than endorsements secured by prominent political figures.
“They don’t ask for too much. They are not protesting on the streets because they don’t have power, electricity, or water. They just want the basics to work for them, and those are the people that are going to vote in this election, not the elite class that has always benefited,” he added.
The television anchor further questioned whether prominent individuals endorsing political candidates would necessarily mobilise voters or participate actively in the electoral process.
He argued that endorsements by influential personalities could generate political momentum but might not automatically translate into grassroots support at the polls.
Despite his reservations about the electoral value of elite endorsements, Oseni acknowledged the significance of Tinubu securing the backing of Danjuma and other influential Middle Belt leaders.
He consequently described the President as a “master strategist” for attracting the support of the prominent figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.