President Bola Tinubu has told members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council not to expect him to attend every campaign event ahead of the 2027 general election, stressing that his responsibilities as president must remain a priority.
Tinubu made the remarks on Wednesday during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where he charged members to take the party’s message to voters across the country while he continued to focus on governance and Nigeria’s economic commitments.
The president acknowledged concerns that an intensive campaign schedule could distract him from running the country, saying Nigeria required his attention at a time when the government was managing financial obligations and seeking to attract long-term investment.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Explaining why he might not accompany the campaign team to every location, he added: “So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait.”
Tinubu also emphasised the need to attract investors willing to establish a lasting presence in Nigeria and support the country’s long-term development.
“We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children,” he said.
Despite his expected limited participation in some campaign activities, the president assured Nigerians that he would continue to engage directly with them, while the campaign council coordinated mobilisation efforts 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.
The inauguration marks a significant step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 election, as the ruling party seeks to organise its nationwide campaign and present the record of Tinubu’s administration to voters.
Tinubu described the council’s formation as more than a routine political exercise, portraying it as a renewed commitment between the party and Nigerians.
“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.
He charged council members to communicate the administration’s vision, achievements and policy agenda to Nigerians, expressing confidence that the campaign structure would take the party’s message to communities across the country.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
The president also praised APC members for completing the party’s congresses, recalling predictions that the process could trigger internal divisions.
According to him, the party overcame the anticipated difficulties and completed the exercise through the participation of members from 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,” he said.
Tinubu’s comments highlight the balancing act facing an incumbent president seeking another term: sustaining the party’s electoral mobilisation while continuing to oversee national affairs, including economic management, government obligations and efforts to attract investment.
With the 2027 election approaching, the APC campaign council is expected to lead much of the party’s grassroots outreach, while Tinubu says he will make time for direct engagement with Nigerians alongside his presidential duties.