- Tinubu hints at skipping massive state-by-state campaign rallies
- Wants administration’s performance to speak louder than campaign promises
BY EDMOND ODOK – President Bola Tinubu has hinted that he may not go round all the states during his re-election campaign, declaring that fixing Nigeria’s immediate challenges must take precedence over massive nationwide political rallies.
The President hinted at the tactical shift during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja, on Wednesday, saying that he has been advised not to allow the demands of the campaign distract him from running the country.
According to him, Nigeria needs serious attention at the moment and demanding responsibilities of the office require his full, uninterrupted attention, away from the optics of high-energy political rallies to focus on policy execution of governance needs.
Speaking shortly after inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council, the President, who promised to make out time to speak with Nigerians, informed the Senator Abdulaziz Yari-led campaign council that he would not be able to go to all the states and local government areas across the country for open air campaign and rallies.
Clearly defending the decision of scaling back from full tour in the 2027 elections’ campaign trail, President Tinubu said: “You have warned me and asked 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 than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause. However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. So you will excuse me from going everywhere with you.”
The President, while describing the inauguration of the Council as more than a campaign activity, said it represented a renewed commitment to Nigerians and the responsibilities of 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,” he said.
Charging the Council with a critical mission, the President emphasized that their primary directive is to broadcast the administration’s core vision, landmark achievements, and future agenda directly to voters across the nation, adding that no corner of the country should be left untouched as the team rolls out a strategic campaign to connect leadership policy with the everyday citizen and voters nationwide.
Hear him, “This Council will carry our vision, our records and our agenda to every Nigerian, and it will carry them to every ward of this country” ahead of the presidential election early next year.
Campaign Council insiders explained that President Tinubu’s moves signal a sharp departure from traditional, massive state-by-state campaign sweeps in a calculated gamble of trading the optics of high-energy political rallies to letting his administration’s performance speak louder than campaign promises.
