Senator Adams Oshiomhole has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to attend every All Progressives Congress campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the President has a country to govern.
Mr Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, said Tinubu’s absence from some campaign events did not mean he was no longer committed to the APC or its re-election campaign.
The former Edo State governor spoke on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday.
‘President has a country to run’
Mr Oshiomhole said there was no contradiction between Tinubu’s decision to limit his campaign appearances and his religious activities or constitutional responsibilities.
“Tinubu need not attend every APC rally. The President has a country to run. Being absent at rallies does not mean he is not with the party. He is working for Nigerians,” he said.
He argued that the President did not have to be physically present at every engagement to effectively discharge his duties.
“A president is not like a teacher who must be in the classroom. But even now, you can be taught online,” Mr Oshiomhole said.
The senator also dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s decision to perform religious activities in Mecca while skipping some political events was contradictory.
“So, I don’t see what the contradiction is. There is none,” he said.
Oshiomhole defends APC’s campaign strategy
Mr Oshiomhole said it was the prerogative of the APC to determine how its campaign would be organised and where the President would appear.
He also criticised continued questions over Tinubu’s absence from some campaign activities, saying the issue had been sufficiently addressed.
“It is our right, it’s our prerogative to decide where we go, where the President goes and where he doesn’t,” he said.
The exchange became tense at some point as Oshiomhole accused the interviewer of repeatedly interrupting him while he was responding to questions.
Tinubu had announced limited campaign appearances
Mr Tinubu had earlier said he would not attend every APC campaign rally ahead of the 2027 election, citing the demands of governance, Nigeria’s financial obligations and the need to attract investors.
The President made the position known on 14 October while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja.
He told campaign council members that Nigeria required his attention and asked them to lead mobilisation across the states and local government areas while he continued to focus on governance.
Mr Tinubu also assured party members that he would still make time to address Nigerians directly despite limiting his physical presence at some campaign events.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027.
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