The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has accused President Bola Tinubu of showing disregard for Nigerians over reports that he may not campaign across all 36 states ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The council argued that the reported decision could create an opportunity for its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who it said was prepared to engage voters nationwide and explain his plans for the country.
The ADC-PCC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the remarks while receiving a delegation of youths under the platform of Young Voters for Atiku (YVA).
Ologbondiyan said any president seeking re-election should be willing to meet voters, defend his record and respond to questions about his administration rather than cite official responsibilities as a reason to avoid nationwide campaigning.
“What President Tinubu has done is a clear act of contempt against the Nigerian people. The APC is known for its contempt for Nigerians. How can a man who wants to be re-elected as president, after failing woefully, say he does not want to visit the people he seeks to govern? It is an aberration of norm,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson also dismissed arguments that official duties could prevent Tinubu from campaigning across the country, pointing to the experiences of former Nigerian presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as United States political figures Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
“Saying that he (Tinubu) will be attending to official assignments is untrue, fake, deceitful and insincere. Didn’t former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari attend to official duties while campaigning for their return tickets? Didn’t Donald Trump campaign? Didn’t Kamala Harris campaign? Why is Tinubu’s case different?” Ologbondiyan queried.
He further alleged that the president was reluctant to face voters because of public dissatisfaction over hunger, poverty, insecurity and economic difficulties.
“He knows Nigerians are hungry and angry. He knows that the average Nigerian finds it difficult to eat and to be secure. He has failed on all fronts, so he is afraid to face Nigerians. He is running away from the reality he created,” he said.
Ologbondiyan called on young Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election, arguing that another term for the ruling party would prolong the economic challenges facing citizens.
“I appeal to every young Nigerian to reject them. Let us collectively reject hunger, reject poverty, reject hardship and reject insecurity. The APC has brought only pain to Nigerians. It is time to say enough is enough,” he said.
The ADC-PCC spokesman also described Atiku as physically fit and mentally alert, maintaining that the former vice-president was ready to campaign across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said an ADC-led administration would prioritise economic recovery, wealth creation, improved security and better living conditions.
“Atiku Abubakar will bring back subsidy to reduce cost of petroleum products, create wealth, end hunger in our land, secure our nation and restore our battered economy. He has the experience, the capacity and the compassion to rescue Nigeria. He is fit, ready and prepared to lead Nigeria out of this present predicament,” Ologbondiyan added.
The ADC-PCC further claimed that the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council had reinforced its political position, alleging that the event did not attract endorsements from ADC members or sympathisers.