President Bola Tinubu is expected to personally attend campaign rallies in only 12 states as the All Progressives Congress (APC) begins its nationwide campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
The APC campaign is scheduled to officially kick off in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, with party leaders expected to represent Tinubu at rallies in more than 20 states, according to the party’s timetable released late Thursday.
The schedule showed that Tinubu would be absent from several rallies, including those in Cross River on November 2, Gombe on November 3, Nasarawa on November 4 and Ekiti on November 5. He is, however, scheduled to attend the campaign rally in Rivers State on November 7.
The President is also expected to miss rallies in Ebonyi on November 9, Jigawa on November 10, Ondo on November 11 and Edo on November 12, before joining the campaign in Plateau State on November 14.
He is scheduled to be absent from rallies in Yobe on November 16, Kebbi on November 17, Akwa Ibom on November 18 and Anambra on November 19.
Tinubu is expected to return to the campaign trail in Oyo on November 21, before attending rallies in Borno, Enugu and Bauchi on November 25, 28 and 29, respectively.
He is not scheduled to attend the November 30 rally in Benue.
The President’s campaign appearances are expected to continue in December, with rallies scheduled for Sokoto on December 5, Delta on December 12 and Kano on December 17.
His final scheduled appearances are in Adamawa on January 4, 2027, and Lagos on January 9.
The timetable also provides for rallies in the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory, where APC leaders and members of the presidential campaign council are expected to represent the President.
Overall, the schedule indicates that Tinubu will personally attend rallies in 12 states, while party leaders will lead campaigns in other locations.
Tinubu had earlier explained that he would not be able to attend every campaign rally because of his responsibilities as President.
Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu said there was a country to govern, indicating that his duties as head of government would limit his participation in some campaign activities.
He, however, promised to make time to directly address Nigerians as party leaders move across states and local government areas to canvass support for his re-election.
The President’s planned absence from some rallies has drawn criticism from opposition parties.
The Allied Peoples Movement urged Tinubu to campaign in all states or withdraw from the presidential race, while former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar questioned the President’s decision to skip some rallies.
Atiku, through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, alleged that Tinubu was avoiding the campaign trail because of his record in office.
“Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief?” Atiku said.
He added that Tinubu had had three and a half years to govern, during which, he alleged, Nigerians had faced rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
“Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term,” Atiku said.