President Bola Tinubu has said he will not attend every campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the need to focus on governance, economic obligations and attracting investors.
Tinubu stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council, urging members to take charge of the party’s mobilisation efforts across the country.
The President said he agreed that electioneering should not distract him from his responsibilities, stressing that Nigeria required his attention.
“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 also cited the country’s financial commitments, including obligations to foreign creditors, as reasons for limiting his participation in campaign activities.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” he said.
He emphasised the need to attract investors committed to establishing sustainable businesses and contributing to Nigeria’s long-term economic development.
“We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children,” he added.
Despite his planned absence from some campaign events, Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would make time to address them directly while the council coordinated campaigns at the state and local government levels.
He charged members to communicate his administration’s vision, achievements and policy agenda to voters, expressing confidence that the party would secure victory in the 2027 election.
The President also congratulated APC members on the successful completion of the party’s congresses, saying the party had overcome predictions of an internal crisis.
“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.
Tinubu urged campaign council members to deliver votes in their respective wards, stressing that their efforts would only count if they translated into electoral success.
“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.
He described the council’s inauguration as a renewed commitment to Nigerians and the responsibilities entrusted to the APC as the governing party, expressing confidence in the party’s readiness for the 2027 contest.