By Joy Yesufu
President Bola Tinubu has told members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council not to expect him to attend every campaign event ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that governance and the country’s economic responsibilities require his attention.
Tinubu spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the inauguration of the council, urging its members to take the party’s message to Nigerians across the states, local government areas and wards while he continued to focus on running the country.
The President said he agreed with concerns that campaign activities should not distract him from governance, adding that Nigeria required sustained attention at the moment.
“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” he said.
Tinubu urged council members to excuse him from attending every campaign event, citing the government’s financial obligations and the need to meet international commitments.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” the President said.
He also stressed the need to attract investors willing to make long-term commitments to Nigeria, saying such investments would help secure a better future for the country’s children.
“We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children,” he said.
Despite his proposed limited participation in campaign activities, Tinubu assured Nigerians that he would continue to engage them directly.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas,” he said.
The President described the council’s inauguration as more than a campaign activity, saying it represented a renewed commitment to Nigerians and the responsibilities of the ruling party.
“We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council. We have gathered to renew a covenant. A covenant with Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party,” he said.
He charged the council to communicate the administration’s vision, record and agenda to voters nationwide.
“This council will carry our vision, our records and our agenda to every Nigerian, and it will carry them to victory in every ward of this country,” Tinubu said.
The President also commended APC members for completing the party’s congresses, recalling predictions that the exercise could trigger an internal crisis.
He said the party had overcome the challenges and emerged united, praising members for participating in the process from the ward level to the national leadership.
“They said there will be implosion. We passed through it. We did not fail. You didn’t let us down. We got here together,” he said.
