Senator Adams Oshiomhole has backed President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to attend all campaign rallies organised ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that the President’s religious commitments do not conflict with his responsibility to govern Nigeria.
Oshiomhole maintained that Tinubu’s decision to participate in only selected campaign activities was within his discretion and the prerogative of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Edo State governor made this position known during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, where he addressed questions surrounding the President’s planned absence from some APC rallies and his religious activities in Mecca.
Oshiomhole dismissed claims that the President’s religious engagements were inconsistent with his duties, insisting that there was no conflict between worshipping God and running the country.
“So, I don’t see what the contradiction is. There is none. He didn’t say, ‘I will stop worshipping God, I will stop praying so that I can constitute a governance,’” he said.
He further explained that the President was not required to be physically present at every engagement to fulfil his responsibilities.
“A president is not like a teacher who must be in the classroom. But even now, you can be taught online,” he said.
The senator also criticised the continued scrutiny of Tinubu’s decision, arguing that the matter had been discussed repeatedly and should no longer generate controversy.
He added that the APC had the authority to determine its campaign arrangements, including deciding the rallies the President would attend.
“Since you are not one of our supporters, you should be happy that the President is not going to go everywhere, and then you try to make a point out of that,” he said.
The interview became heated at some point as Oshiomhole accused the presenter of frequently interrupting him while he was responding to questions.
“You ask questions, you interject, you interrupt. Look, I am well-travelled and I watch TV stations and I watch TV hosts. There is no contradiction,” he said.
Reaffirming his position, the former governor added, “It is our right, it’s our prerogative to decide where we go, where the President goes and where he doesn’t.”
Tinubu had earlier announced that he would not attend every APC campaign rally ahead of the 2027 elections, explaining that he needed to concentrate on governance and other national responsibilities.
The President also urged party members to handle mobilisation efforts across the country, emphasising that campaign activities should not take his attention away from governing the nation.