President Bola Tinubu has said he will make time to speak directly to Nigerians during the 2027 election campaign, even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council leads campaign activities across states and local government areas.
Tinubu made this known while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, where he agreed with party leaders who had urged him not to allow campaign activities to distract him from governance.
The President acknowledged the concerns raised by members of the council, saying the country required his attention and that government business must continue throughout the electioneering period.
“You have warned me and asked 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 than ever before,” Tinubu said.
He added that his responsibilities as President would not stop because of the election campaign, noting that the Constitution did not provide for governance to be suspended for political activities.
“The responsibility of this office does not pause. That responsibility did not recognise our agenda here today. The constitution allows INEC to make room for parliament, but not for the campaign. The job must go on,” he said.
Tinubu, however, assured party members that he would still engage directly with Nigerians while the campaign council coordinated activities across the country.
“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,” he said.
The President urged the campaign council to communicate his administration’s policies and record to Nigerians, saying the body had a responsibility to secure support for the party across the country.
“Let the word go out from this hall to every corner of our nation. The APC is ready. 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. We promise we will not let them down.”
Tinubu said the council would be responsible for taking the party’s vision, record and agenda to voters across the country.
“This council will carry our vision, our record, and our agenda to every Nigerian. And it will carry them to victory in every ward of this country. We arrive at this moment strong, united, and renewed,” he said.
He also thanked party leaders and members for their support during the party’s internal processes, including the selection of its leadership at ward, local government, state and national levels.
The President said he remained committed to fulfilling the party’s promises and manifesto.
“To me, I am your errand man, I raise my hand with full commitment that we abide by my promises and the manifestos, the objective, the intention of our party. That’s all I give you,” he said.
Tinubu also urged the campaign council to recognise the importance of its assignment, telling members that their work would be essential to the party’s efforts ahead of the 2027 general election.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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