Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s alleged focus on securing a second term in 2027, describing it as a misplaced priority in the face of Nigeria’s current challenges.

Bucknor-Akerele, who served as Tinubu’s deputy from May 1999 to December 2002, expressed her concerns on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme.

According to the elder stateswoman, the Tinubu administration should prioritise fixing Nigeria’s deteriorating socio-economic and security conditions rather than strategising for re-election.

“Unfortunately, right now, what I see is that the president is looking for a second term and that seems to be his focus. I think he should try and look at what people like Emeka Anyaoku and so many others are proposing to change Nigeria for the future generations,” she said.

Bucknor-Akerele, a member of The Patriots led by former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku, also warned that Nigeria's restless youth population may resist any political ambition that ignores their plight.

“We need full employment for our youths. Many of them are roaming the streets, and some graduates are now working as security men. It is urgent; it is not something that should be postponed because some people want to be in power,” she cautioned.

She further warned that the country could face a revolution if leaders continue to neglect the needs of the populace.

Speaking on Nigeria’s worsening state, she emphasised the need for a total overhaul of the nation’s governance system, including the restructuring of the security sector, reducing recurrent expenditure, and investing in public welfare.

“We need drastic action right now. Our security, economy, education, and health sectors are in shambles. We need a rejig of our security apparatus, and there is a need to cut down the massive recurrent expenditure consuming the national budget.”

Bucknor-Akerele also stressed the importance of providing free education and healthcare, recalling that such services were once available in parts of the country.

She concluded by stating that the Nigerian populace is fed up with the current governance and that if sufficient pressure is mounted, the Tinubu administration would have no choice but to adopt reforms proposed by concerned groups like the Anyaoku-led Patriots.

“If this government thinks they can continue as they are continuing, then I’m sorry, I think this country is headed for disaster,” she warned.