2027: Tinubu Says He Won’t Attend Every APC Campaign Rally, Cites Governance Responsibilities

President Bola Tinubu has told members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council not to expect him to attend every campaign event ahead of the 2027 general election, saying he must remain focused on governance and Nigeria’s economic responsibilities.

Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, where he charged members to take the party’s message to Nigerians across the states, local government areas and wards.

The President said he agreed with concerns that the demands of the election campaign should not distract him from his responsibilities as the nation’s leader, stressing that Nigeria required his 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,” he said.

Tinubu subsequently asked campaign council members to excuse him from accompanying them to every campaign event, citing the need to meet the country’s financial obligations and sustain its economic commitments.

“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” the President said.

He also underscored the importance of attracting investors willing to establish a long-term presence in Nigeria, noting that sustained investment was necessary to support the country’s future and create opportunities for the next generation.

“We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children,” he said.

Despite his decision not to attend every campaign rally, Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would continue to engage directly with them while the campaign council coordinated the party’s mobilisation efforts nationwide.

“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas,” he added.

Describing the inauguration of the campaign council as more than a routine political gathering, the President said the event represented a renewed commitment to Nigerians and the responsibilities entrusted to the APC as the ruling party.

“We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council. We have gathered to renew a covenant. A covenant with Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party,” Tinubu said.

He charged council members to communicate the administration’s vision, record and policy agenda to voters across the country, expressing confidence in their ability to take the party’s message to every ward.

“This council will carry our vision, our records and our agenda to every Nigerian, and it will carry them to victory every ward of this country,” he said.

The President also commended APC members for completing the party’s congresses, recalling predictions that the exercise could trigger internal divisions and threaten the party’s unity.

According to Tinubu, the party successfully navigated the process, with members participating from the ward level through the various levels of leadership.

“They said there will be implosion. We passed through it. We did not fail. You didn’t let us down. We got here together,” he said.

The inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council signals the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general election, with the party expected to rely on its campaign structure to coordinate grassroots mobilisation and communicate its agenda to voters nationwide.