Tinubu Says He Won’t Tour Every Campaign Ground, Cites Governance Duties

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that he will continue to engage them directly as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council takes charge of his 2027 re-election campaign, stressing that his responsibilities as head of state will not take a back seat to electioneering.

Tinubu gave the assurance on Wednesday, October 14, during the inauguration of the presidential campaign council in Abuja, where he acknowledged concerns from party members that the demands of campaigning could distract him from governing the country.

“You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance,” the president said. “I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before.”

He said the responsibilities of his office would continue throughout the election period, arguing that the Constitution did not provide for governance to be suspended because political parties were campaigning.

“The responsibility of this office does not pause. That responsibility did not recognize our agenda here today. The Constitution allows INEC to make room for parliament, but not for the campaign. The job must go on,” Tinubu said.

The president, however, assured the campaign council that he would remain available to communicate directly with Nigerians even as its members travelled across states and local government areas to mobilize support for his second-term bid.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu tasked the council with taking his administration’s policies, record and agenda to voters nationwide, describing the assignment as central to the APC’s efforts to retain the presidency in 2027.

“Let the word go out from this hall to every corner of our nation. The APC is ready. We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council. We have gathered to renew a covenant,” he said, describing the party’s responsibility as a commitment to the Nigerian people.

The president added that the council would be expected to communicate the party’s vision and achievements to voters while working to secure electoral support across the country’s wards.

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

He also thanked APC leaders and members for their support during the party’s internal processes, including the selection of its leadership at ward, local government, state and national levels. Tinubu said he remained committed to implementing the party’s manifesto and fulfilling the promises made to Nigerians.

“To me, I am your errand man,” he said, pledging his commitment to the party’s objectives, manifesto and promises.

The inauguration comes as political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general election, with the APC seeking to secure another term for Tinubu amid continuing public debate over the impact of his administration’s economic reforms. His pledge to maintain direct communication with Nigerians while leaving much of the campaign mobilization to the council places public engagement and the continuity of government at the centre of his re-election message.

For the campaign council, the task will be to turn the president’s record and policy arguments into a nationwide electoral campaign, while Tinubu has made clear that his constitutional responsibilities will continue alongside the party’s political activities.