Tinubu signals he may skip some 2027 rallies as APC inaugurates campaign council

By: Ganiyu Olayinka

President Bola Tinubu has said he may not attend every campaign rally ahead of the 2027 election, saying the demands of governing will keep him from following the whole campaign trail.

He remarked on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. Telling members he had agreed with their advice not to let campaigning distract him from governance, he asked them to bear with him. “You will excuse me from going everywhere with you,” he said.

Tinubu cited the need to meet Nigeria’s financial obligations, saying the country “needs more attention now”. He promised to make time to speak directly to Nigerians, and did not rule out attending rallies altogether. He did not announce a campaign itinerary, and he did not say how often he would appear.

Council to carry the message

The president charged the council, which is led by Senator Abdulaziz Yari, to take the administration’s record and agenda to every state, local government area and ward. He described the inauguration as a renewed commitment to Nigerians, not just a party event.

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda urged members to acknowledge the government’s challenges, explain its record and make the case for a second term. Senator Hope Uzodimma, the council’s secretary, assured the president that APC governors and other party leaders would carry the message to voters so he could focus on running the country.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the council includes members of opposition parties, which he argued signals that a second Tinubu term would be a unity government.