Human mascots, SMS mobilisation, Pidgin radio show, campaign jingle headline opening phase
Group cites economic, security, education and infrastructure reforms
The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) has unveiled the first phase of its grassroots campaign in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 presidential election, combining street-level mobilisation with traditional and digital media platforms.
The initiative, which begins on August 19, will feature the deployment of about 40 human mascots across strategic locations in Abuja, a city-wide SMS mobilisation campaign, a weekly Pidgin-language radio programme, “Wetin Tinubu Don Do Sef”, and an original campaign jingle.
In a statement signed by its Director of Press and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, HAI said its support for Tinubu’s re-election was based on what it described as the administration’s “bold reforms and initiatives” aimed at laying the foundation for Nigeria’s long-term economic and institutional development.
The group cited reforms in the petroleum sector, which it said had helped end perennial fuel scarcity and encouraged the growth of private refineries; greater stability in the foreign exchange market; increased government revenue and foreign reserves; efforts to strengthen Local Government autonomy; police and internal security reforms; the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND); tax reforms; and major road infrastructure projects in Abuja and across the country.
“While these reforms have come with short-term challenges, we believe they are difficult but necessary steps towards a more sustainable, prosperous and better governed Nigeria,” HAI said.
As part of the opening-day activation, HAI will deploy about 40 colourfully dressed human mascots at major roundabouts, markets, motor parks and other high-traffic locations across the Federal Capital Territory.The mascots will carry branded banners with messages supporting President Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
HAI said the initiative was designed to take its campaign directly into public spaces and complement its wider media and grassroots mobilisation efforts.
In the same vein, the organisation will simultaneously commence a city-wide SMS mobilisation campaign across Abuja.According to HAI, the initiative will provide a direct digital channel for communicating its campaign messages to residents. It will form the first stage of a broader mobilisation programme expected to expand as the 2027 election approaches.
A key component of the campaign is “Wetin Tinubu Don Do Sef”, a weekly Pidgin-language radio programme that explains government policies, programmes and projects in simple, relatable terms.
Each episode will focus on a specific policy area, examining its impact and explaining how citizens may benefit. The programme will feature a host and regular guest or co-host, with expert perspectives and citizen voices incorporated where appropriate.
The initiative will also feature an original campaign jingle inspired by the tradition of memorable Nigerian political campaign anthems, including the widely remembered Hope ’93 campaign associated with the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
HAI said the four initiatives represented only the opening phase of a broader campaign combining grassroots mobilisation, traditional media, digital communication and public engagement.
Subsequent phases, it said, would focus on the administration’s policies and programmes across key sectors, including the economy, education, security and infrastructure. The organisation said particular attention would be given to NELFUND, economic reforms, security sector initiatives, road infrastructure and other programmes it believes require greater public awareness and informed public discussion.
HAI said the August 19 activation would mark the beginning of a sustained grassroots campaign to build public engagement and communicate its case for President Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
