Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reported plan to miss some campaign events ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that he must personally answer questions about his administration’s performance.
Their reactions followed reports that Tinubu might not attend every campaign event organised by the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council because of his responsibilities as president, economic obligations and efforts to attract investors.
Atiku argued that the President should explain his record to Nigerians rather than depend on governors, ministers and other political allies to defend his administration.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned the urgency Tinubu had shown towards governance amid the economic challenges facing citizens.
“Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief?” Atiku asked, referring to the President’s reported explanation for potentially missing campaign rallies.
He also called on Tinubu to explain what his government had done to make food affordable, improve access to healthcare and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
Atiku further argued that political allies could not take responsibility for decisions made by the President.
“The people on his campaign council did not receive the mandate in 2023. Tinubu did. He made the promises. He took the decisions. He must face the questions,” he said.
Peter Obi’s media office also criticised the President, maintaining that he should personally defend his record before asking Nigerians to renew his mandate.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri, the office questioned why political surrogates should campaign for Tinubu if he could not make time to engage directly with voters.
“The President cannot delegate accountability. He cannot outsource the defence of his record to political allies, party chieftains, and praise singers while millions of Nigerians struggle with the consequences of his government’s policies,” the statement said.
The office also challenged Tinubu to explain how his administration’s policies had affected the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing and other essential needs.
It maintained that Nigerians deserved direct answers from the President rather than relying solely on statements from political supporters.
“A President who seeks the people’s mandate must be prepared to face the people. Surrogates may carry the message, but they cannot carry the burden of accountability,” the statement added.
The criticism comes as political parties and their candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the economy and the performance of the Tinubu administration likely to remain major issues in the campaign.
