President Bola Tinubu has said he will skip some All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rallies ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that the demands of governing Nigeria will take precedence over nationwide electioneering.

The president made the position known on Wednesday while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, directing party leaders to take the campaign message across states and local government areas as he continues to oversee government business.

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

He added that he would still make time to address Nigerians directly but would not accompany the campaign team to every event.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu also pointed to Nigeria’s financial obligations and the need to attract investors as reasons for maintaining his focus on governance during the campaign.

“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,” the president said.

Tinubu tasks APC leaders with delivering votes

The president urged members of the campaign council to take responsibility for communicating the administration’s record, policies and agenda to voters, describing the campaign as an opportunity to renew the ruling party’s commitment to Nigerians.

He said the APC must carry its message to every part of the country and translate its political machinery into electoral gains at the ward level.

Tinubu also warned campaign council members that their contributions would ultimately be judged by the votes they deliver in the 2027 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.

Wike, Adeleke, Soludo named in expanded council

The inauguration follows the APC’s announcement of an expanded presidential campaign council, which includes prominent political figures such as Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun State; and Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra State.

Their inclusion adds influential political figures to the campaign structure as the ruling party prepares to defend its position in the next presidential election.