By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The Presidential Campaign Organisation of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race if he is unable to campaign across the country and defend his administration’s record before Nigerians.
The organisation made the call in a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, following Tinubu’s announcement that he might not accompany the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign team to every state ahead of the 2027 general election.
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Tinubu, while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Wednesday, said he would prioritise governance and the country’s financial obligations rather than attend every campaign engagement. He, however, assured Nigerians that he would make time to address them directly.
Reacting, Makinde’s campaign organisation described the President’s decision as a setback for democratic accountability, arguing that a leader seeking re-election should be prepared to face voters and explain his performance in office.
The organisation criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the economy, electricity supply and national security, alleging that the administration’s policies had worsened hardship, weakened citizens’ purchasing power and failed to deliver the promised improvements in living conditions.
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“If President Tinubu is so fatigued that he cannot go round the country to canvass for votes, then he should withdraw from the race,” the statement said, insisting that Nigerians deserved an active president willing to engage directly with the electorate.
The campaign organisation also promoted Makinde’s presidential ambition under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), claiming that his proposed Reset Nigeria Agenda offered solutions to the country’s security, economic and social challenges. Tinubu’s decision not to attend every rally has therefore become a fresh point of political debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
