2027: Tinubu Says He Won’t Attend Every APC Campaign Event, Cites Governance Duties

President Bola Tinubu has said he will not accompany members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to every campaign event ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that governance and Nigeria’s economic responsibilities require his continued attention.

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

The president acknowledged concerns that campaign activities could distract him from governing the country, saying Nigeria required greater attention from him at the moment.

“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 members of the council to understand that he would not be available to attend every campaign event, citing the administration’s financial obligations and the need to meet international debt 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 stressed the importance of attracting investors willing to establish long-term investments in Nigeria, describing such investments as essential to securing a better future for the country’s children.

“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 activity, Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would continue to engage directly with them while the campaign council coordinated 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.

The president described the inauguration of the campaign council as more than a political exercise, saying it represented a renewed commitment to Nigerians and the responsibilities entrusted to 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 the council to communicate the administration’s vision, achievements and policy agenda to voters across the country, expressing confidence that the party’s message would reach 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.

Tinubu also commended APC members for successfully completing the party’s congresses, noting that some had anticipated internal divisions and a possible crisis during the exercise.

According to him, the party overcame the challenges and completed the process with members participating from the ward level to the national 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,” the president said.