Nigeria: 2027 - Tinubu to Skip Some APC Campaign Rallies, Cites Governance Demands

What the report says

President Bola Tinubu said he may not attend every All Progressives Congress campaign rally ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, saying the demands of governing the country must come first. He made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, where party leaders formally launched the structure expected to drive the party’s re-election effort.

Tinubu said his duties as head of state require constant attention to national governance, Nigeria’s financial obligations and efforts to attract long-term investors. He told party members he would continue to address Nigerians directly, but would not necessarily join the campaign team at every stop. He also expressed support for the party’s manifesto and said the campaign must remain focused on delivering votes in the next election.

Vice President Kashim Shettima used the event to defend the administration’s economic reforms and to question the ability of opposition figures to manage the country if they cannot keep their own parties united. Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged APC governors not to neglect their states while pursuing future ambitions, while APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said the campaign should acknowledge government challenges as well as achievements.

The gathering marked an early political milestone for the APC’s 2027 effort. Beyond the election messaging, it also reflected the administration’s attempt to balance campaigning with continued emphasis on fiscal stability and governance, an issue likely to remain central as Nigeria moves toward the next vote.