President Bola Tinubu has indicated that he may not be at campaign rallies in all the states in the federation ahead of the 2027 presidential election, citing the need to prioritise governance, meet financial obligations and attract foreign investment to Nigeria.
Tinubu made this known on Wednesday while speaking at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The president said he had accepted calls for him to ensure that campaign activities did not distract him from the responsibility of running the country, stressing that Nigeria required greater attention at this time.
“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” Tinubu said.
This remark suggests that the president may not personally participate in every presidential campaign rally across the country as the ruling party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Explaining his position, Tinubu said he might not be able to accompany party leaders and campaign officials to every state during the electioneering period.
“You will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” he said.
The president’s comments highlighted the challenge of balancing the demands of a nationwide election campaign with the responsibilities of managing government affairs.
Campaign rallies typically involve extensive travel, public appearances and engagements with party supporters across different parts of the country.
Tinubu’s remarks indicate that he wants to avoid allowing such activities to take up time needed for governance.
But his critics and opponents in the race, attribute the remarks to his ill-health.
Although he expressed support for the position that governance should remain a priority, he did not disclose the number of rallies he might attend or identify the states where he might be absent.
But, to make a heavy weather of his reasons, President Tinubu underscored the importance of attracting foreign investors and encouraging them to establish long-term business interests in Nigeria.
“We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children,” he said.
The president’s reference to financial obligations and American creditors suggests that economic commitments are among the considerations informing his position on campaign activities.
He also emphasised the need to create an environment that would encourage investors to commit resources to Nigeria and contribute to the country’s future development.
However, the president did not provide further details about the specific financial obligations he referenced or identify the investors he hoped to attract.
*APC prepares for 2027 campaign
Tinubu’s comments came during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, a key party structure expected to coordinate campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
The council is expected to play a role in organising the party’s campaign efforts, engaging voters and coordinating activities across the country.
The president’s possible absence from some rallies could place greater responsibility on members of the campaign council and other party leaders to represent the APC at events in different states.
However, no specific arrangement for distributing campaign responsibilities was announced in the remarks provided.
Tinubu did not rule out attending campaign rallies altogether. Rather, his comments indicated that he might not be present at every campaign stop, as he seeks to balance electioneering with the demands of governing Nigeria.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to generate nationwide political activities as parties mobilise supporters and present their candidates to voters. The president did not announce a detailed campaign itinerary or specify how frequently he would attend rallies.
