You can’t rely on surrogates to seek re-election, Obi tackles Tinubu

The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has reacted to President Bola Tinubu resolve not to visit every state for the 2027 campaign saying the President cannot rely on political surrogates to seek re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The opposition group’s backlash follows reports indicating that President Tinubu may skip major legs of the campaign trail, citing the heavy demands of governance, state duties, and economic management.

In a statement on Thursday by POMR’s spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the campaign organization argued that the President cannot delegate accountability or outsource the defence of his administration’s economic record to party chieftains, political allies, and praise singers while millions of citizens grapple with severe economic hardship.

“Surrogates can speak for the President, but they cannot answer for his failures,” Zekeri stated. “They can repeat his promises, but they cannot make those promises a reality. They can campaign in his name, but they cannot carry his responsibility.”

The Obi’s media team asserted that governance itself is the primary record a candidate must defend in a democracy, rejecting the claim that official duties should serve as a reason to avoid facing voters.

The statement challenged President Tinubu to personally explain to Nigerians how his economic policies are relieving the high costs of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and basic necessities.

The media office insisted that voters deserve a direct, unvarnished conversation with their leader, rather than a “relay of rehearsed talking points” from political messengers.

“Nigerians are not being asked to elect your surrogates. They are being asked to assess you, your policies, your promises, and your performance,” Zekeri added. “If there is a record to defend, let the President defend it… A President who seeks the people’s mandate must be prepared to face the people.”