Nigerian president launches reelection bid during a cost-of-living crisis and a fractured opposition

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigerian President Bola Tinubu launched his reelection bid Saturday, campaigning at a rally for a second presidential term during a cost-of-living crisis and a fractured opposition.

The presidential election will be held in January against the backdrop of a worsening economy that has caused anger among voters against Tinubu’s government, but which Tinubu blamed on opposition parties.

“I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did,” he said at a rally in the northwestern state of Kaduna. “They created the hunger, they created the poverty. We are trying to eradicate it."

Tinubu is being challenged by over a dozen opposition candidates, but analysts predict a three-man race between Tinubu and the two contenders he defeated in 2023. They are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, or ADC, a serial presidential candidate, and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, or NDC, a former state governor who blew the last race wide open with his mass appeal to Nigeria’s youth.

In 2023, Tinubu scrapped a decades-long government-funded subsidy on gasoline moments after his inauguration as president. The move has been touted as a bold economic reform but it contributed to the naira’s devaluation and widespread hardship.

“We have prosperity and consistency, growth, recovery and opportunity, I assure you. Your prosperity is here. Fuel subsidy is in the past, no more corruption, no more lies,” he said.

Political analyst Majeed Dahiru told The Associated Press that Tinubu’s chances of winning a second term are challenged by public discontent over his economic policies.

“It is a tough one. But one thing is certain that is not going to be a walkover for any of the contending parties at all in this election. It is one that you can’t predict,” he said.

The 2023 presidential election saw Tinubu win with over 8.7 million votes. Abubakar followed with over 6.9 million votes and Obi with 6.1 million, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Although Tinubu won the most votes, he recorded one of the lowest vote percentages ever for an elected president, showing how unpopular he was.

The split opposition could give Tinubu a higher chance of winning in 2027 as was the case in 2023.

Opposition candidates Atiku and Obi, among others, formed an alliance in 2025 to unseat Tinubu, but it collapsed before it took off.

Supporters of Nigeria incumbent president, Bola Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress Party, attend the Presidential election campaign flag off in Kaduna, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sani Maikatanga)

President Bola Tinubu, with the All Progressives Congress Party, left, and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, attend the first election campaign of the season in Kaduna, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sani Maikatanga)

Supporters of Nigeria incumbent president, Bola Tinubu, of the All Progressives Congress Party, attend the Presidential election campaign flag off in Kaduna, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sani Maikatanga)

President Bola Tinubu, with the All Progressives Congress Party, speaks during the first election campaign of the season in Kaduna, Nigeria, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Sani Maikatanga)

ATLANTA (AP) — Gabby Williams scored 17 points and Golden State played stellar defense to beat the Atlanta Dream 67-62 on Saturday and even the WNBA Finals at 2-2.

The best-of-seven series moves back to California on Monday for Game 5.

The Valkyries stymied Atlanta star Angel Reese, holding her to just eight points. She had dominated the previous two games, averaging 25.5 points and 14 rebounds in the Dream victories. Reese struggled in Game 4, missing 10 of her 12 shots, including a few layups in the fourth quarter, after having double-doubles in each of the first three games.

Atlanta trimmed a 16-point halftime deficit to 61-55 midway through the fourth quarter, bringing fans in the sellout crowd of over 17,000 to their feet. Golden State answered with a 3-pointer by Veronica Burton to briefly silence them.

The Dream then scored seven of the next nine points, including a three-point play by Rhyne Howard with 28 seconds left to get within 66-62.

Burton then made the first of two free throws a second later and Atlanta couldn’t convert on the other end.

Howard finished with 19 points to lead Atlanta.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back for updates. AP’s earlier story follows below.

The Golden State Valkyries are still confident.

Trailing 2-1 in the best-of-seven WNBA Finals against Atlanta, they know a win on Saturday will give them back home-court advantage with a trip to “Ballhalla” awaiting.

“It would be silly to overreact right now,” Valkyries guard Veronica Burton said. “We continue to point out the things where we lack discipline and where we lack maybe paying attention to their personnel. We address that and not overreact but also understand that there is a major sense of urgency, and we can’t necessarily wait for anything to change.”

Still, the Valkyries can ill afford to lose Game 4 after getting routed in Game 3. While it's only the second year that the WNBA has played a best-of-seven championship series, history in the NBA isn't on the side of teams trailing 3-1. Only the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers were able to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

For the Valkyries to have any chance, they'll need to find a way to contain Angel Reese.

Reese, who was traded to Atlanta from Chicago in the offseason, has made the most of her first postseason appearance since coming into the league three years ago. She became only the second player in finals history with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games, joining A’ja Wilson.

At 24 years old, she also became the youngest with three straight double-doubles in the finals.

Reese has a really talented group around her in Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, who has been dealing with a hand injury suffered in the semifinals.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Atlanta Dream forward Naz Hillmon, center, drives into Golden State Valkyries guard Kaila Charles, right, during the first half in Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) dribbles the ball during Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (1) shoots against Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) during Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) shoots the ball during Game 4 of the WNBA basketball finals against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese (5) talks with Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray (15) during the first half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)