2027: Tinubu’s plan to campaign in only 12 states insults Nigerians — ADC

…Says Atiku ready to visit all 36 states, FCT

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s plan to physically appear for campaign in only 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states ahead of the 2027 presidential election, describing the move as an insult to Nigerians.

The opposition party said the decision by Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to limit his campaign appearances would deny voters in other states the opportunity to engage directly with the president seeking re-election.

The criticism came amid preparations by political parties for the 2027 general election, with campaigns expected to provide candidates opportunities to defend their records, explain their policies and seek voters’ support.

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Kola Ologbondiyan, director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, said this on Friday while receiving a delegation of youths under the aegis of Young Voters for Atiku (YVA).

Ologbondiyan argued that the plan contrasted with the approach of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, who campaigned while seeking re-election.

“What President Tinubu has done is a clear act of contempt against the Nigerian people. 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 the norm,” he said.

He dismissed the explanation that official responsibilities could prevent Tinubu from campaigning nationwide, insisting that the president should make himself available to voters.

“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?” Ologbondiyan queried.

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The ADC-PCC spokesman alleged that the president was reluctant to face voters because of widespread public dissatisfaction over hunger, poverty, insecurity and economic hardship.

“He knows Nigerians are hungry and angry. He knows that the average Nigerian finds it difficult to eat and to be secure. He has failed on all fronts, so he is afraid to face Nigerians. He is running away from the reality he created,” he alleged.

Ologbondiyan said ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar was prepared to traverse all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to present his programme to Nigerians.

“Atiku Abubakar will bring back subsidy to reduce the 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 said.

He urged young Nigerians to reject the APC in 2027, arguing that the ruling party should be held accountable for its record in office.

The ADC-PCC also claimed that the recent inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council had not weakened its ranks, insisting that the party remained focused on building support for Atiku’s candidacy.