2027: ADC-PCC berates Tinubu for limiting campaign to fewer states

African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported decision not to campaign across all states of the federation, describing it as an act of arrogance, contempt and a grave insult to the Nigerian people.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated this while receiving a delegation of youths under the aegis of Young Voters for Atiku (YVA).

The ADC-PCC said the reported decision exposed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s disdain for ordinary Nigerians, insisting that a president seeking re-election should be willing to face the electorate, account for his stewardship and present his plans for the country’s future.

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The council also declared that the ADC had emerged politically strengthened following the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, noting that the event failed to attract endorsements from members or sympathisers of the ADC.

Ologbondiyan argued that Tinubu’s reported reluctance to campaign across the country would provide a significant advantage to the ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whom he described as fully prepared to traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria to engage citizens and present his manifesto for national recovery.

He stressed that Atiku was physically energetic, mentally alert, and ready to visit all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to seek the people’s mandate.

“What President Tinubu has done is a clear act of contempt against the Nigerian people. The APC is known for its contempt for Nigerians. How can a man who wants to be re-elected as president, after failing woefully, say he does not want to visit the people he seeks to govern? It is an aberration of norm,” Ologbondiyan said.

The ADC-PCC spokesman also dismissed the suggestion that official engagements could prevent the president from campaigning nationwide, describing the explanation as unconvincing and insisting that the real issue was the administration’s record in office as well as other reasons which Nigerians believe are personal to Mr President.

“Saying that he (Tinubu) will be attending to official assignments is untrue, fake, deceitful and insincere. Didn’t former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari attend to official duties while campaigning for their return tickets? Didn’t Donald Trump campaign? Didn’t Kamala Harris campaign? Why is Tinubu’s case different?” he queried.

Ologbondiyan further accused Tinubu of treating Nigerians with levity, arguing that a president who is unwilling to engage directly with voters should reconsider his ambition for a second term.

“President Tinubu has taken Nigerian for a joke and should not seek re-election. A president who is afraid to face his own people has no business asking for their votes,” he declared.

According to him, seeking a renewed mandate requires humility, accountability and a willingness to engage citizens on the state of the nation.

He added that Tinubu’s reported decision to avoid campaigning nationwide reinforced the perception that the APC had taken Nigerians for granted.

Ologbondiyan further alleged that the president was reluctant to face the electorate because of widespread public dissatisfaction over hunger, poverty, insecurity and the state of the economy.

The ADC-PCC director urged Nigerians, particularly young voters, to reject the APC in the 2027 general election, arguing that another term for the ruling party would prolong the hardship citizens are currently experiencing.

“I appeal to every young Nigerian to reject them. Let us collectively reject hunger, reject poverty, reject hardship and reject insecurity. The APC has brought only pain to Nigerians. It is time to say enough is enough,” he said.

Ologbondiyan assured Nigerians that Atiku Abubakar, if elected, would prioritise economic recovery, wealth creation, national security and improved living standards.

He expressed confidence that the ADC presidential candidate possessed the experience and capacity to address the country’s challenges and restore public confidence in governance.

“Atiku Abubakar will bring back subsidy to reduce cost of petroleum products, create wealth, end hunger in our land, secure our nation and restore our battered economy. He has the experience, the capacity and the compassion to rescue Nigeria. He is fit, ready and prepared to lead Nigeria out of this present predicament,” he added.