‘There’s a country to run’ — Tinubu says he will skip some APC presidential campaign rallies

President Bola Tinubu has said he will not attend every presidential campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the need to prioritise governance.

Tinubu made this known on Wednesday during the inauguration of the APC presidential campaign council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The president, however, assured party members that he would make time to address Nigerians directly as campaign leaders take the party’s message to states and local government areas across the country.

“Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause,” he said.

“The job must go on. However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas. So you will excuse me from going everywhere with you.

“We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait. We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children.”

Tinubu urged members of the campaign council to communicate the APC’s policies, achievements and agenda to Nigerians, describing the inauguration as an opportunity to renew the party’s commitment to the electorate.

“Let the word go out from this hall to every corner of our nation. The APC is ready,” he said.

“We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council. We have got to renew a covenant.

“A covenant with Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party.”

He added that the campaign council was expected to take the party’s vision, record and agenda to Nigerians and secure victory across the country’s wards.

The president also charged council members to mobilise voters and deliver electoral support in their respective wards during the 2027 general election.

“No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So, until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you,” he said.

The APC on Tuesday announced an expanded list of its presidential campaign council, featuring several prominent political figures, including Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Ademola Adeleke, Osun State governor; and Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra State governor.

The council is expected to coordinate the party’s campaign activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.