2027: Tinubu Afraid to Face Nigerians, Has No Business Seeking Re-Election — ADC

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of avoiding Nigerians by reportedly declining to campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The council argued that the reported decision showed contempt for voters and could give its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, an advantage, saying Nigerians deserved a leader prepared to defend his record, answer questions and explain his plans.

The ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the remarks while receiving a delegation of youths under the Young Voters for Atiku (YVA) group.

Ologbondiyan said a president seeking re-election should be willing to meet voters and account for his performance rather than cite official engagements as a reason for avoiding nationwide campaigning.

He described Tinubu’s reported decision as an act of contempt for Nigerians, arguing that it was unusual for a president seeking another term to avoid visiting the people he wanted to govern after what he described as a poor performance.

He also dismissed the argument that official responsibilities could prevent Tinubu from campaigning nationwide. He cited former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as American presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as examples of political figures who campaigned while holding or seeking public office.

The ADC spokesman further alleged that public anger over hunger, poverty, insecurity and economic hardship explained the president’s reported reluctance to engage voters across the country.

According to him, many Nigerians were struggling to afford food and live securely, adding that Tinubu was allegedly avoiding voters because of the conditions they were facing.

Ologbondiyan urged young Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election, warning that another term for the ruling party would prolong the hardship citizens were experiencing.

He called on youths to oppose hunger, poverty, economic hardship and insecurity through their votes, accusing the APC of worsening living conditions across the country.

The ADC-PCC director also described Atiku as physically fit and mentally alert, saying the former vice-president was ready to campaign across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said an ADC-led government would focus on economic recovery, wealth creation, improved security and better living standards. Ologbondiyan also pledged that an Atiku administration would restore fuel subsidy to reduce petroleum prices, tackle hunger, strengthen national security and revive the economy.

The council further claimed that the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council had strengthened its own political position, alleging that no ADC members or sympathisers endorsed the event.