Why Tinubu Says He Won’t Join APC Campaign Team at Every Campaign Rally

President Bola Tinubu has said he will not accompany the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to every campaign event ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the need to focus on governance, economic obligations and attracting investors to Nigeria.

Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, urging members to take charge of the party’s mobilisation efforts across the country while he attends to matters of state.

The President said he agreed with concerns that the demands of electioneering should not distract him from his responsibilities as Nigeria’s leader, insisting that the country required his attention 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 council members to understand that he would not be available for every campaign outing, pointing to the country’s financial obligations and 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.

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He also highlighted the importance of attracting investors who would establish sustainable businesses and make long-term investments capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic development.

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

Despite his decision to limit his participation in campaign tours, Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would still make time to address them directly while the campaign council coordinated activities across states and local government areas.

“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 said.

Describing the inauguration as more than the formal establishment of a campaign structure, 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,” he said.

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Tinubu charged members of the council to communicate the administration’s vision, achievements and policy agenda to voters nationwide, expressing confidence that their efforts would secure victory for the APC in 2027.

“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 congratulated party members on the successful completion of the APC congresses, recalling predictions that the exercise could trigger an internal crisis.

According to him, the party overcame the anticipated 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,” Tinubu said.

He urged members of the campaign council to ensure victory in their respective wards, stressing that their contributions would only be recognised after they delivered votes during the 2027 election.

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“No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So, until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you,” he said.

Tinubu thanked party members for their support during the previous election and reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to Nigerians, promising that the party would not disappoint the electorate.

He expressed confidence in the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 polls and urged campaign council members to prepare for the task before them.

“I celebrate you. I celebrate you, no doubt about that. Nigeria will continue to celebrate you. You will see the joy of this victory. You will share in the joy,” he said.