The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to appear on the campaign trail and address Nigerians directly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and shared by the Peter Obi Media Room (POMR), the former Anambra State governor questioned why Tinubu would send political allies to canvass for votes if he was unwilling to make time to engage directly with the electorate.
Obi’s comments followed Tinubu’s remarks at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on Thursday, where the President said the demands of governance required his attention.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The President also referred to the government’s financial obligations and its efforts to attract investment.
“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,” he added.
Reacting, Obi said Tinubu could not delegate accountability or outsource the defence of his administration’s record to political allies, party leaders and supporters while millions of Nigerians continued to grapple with the effects of government policies.
“Surrogates can speak for the President, but they cannot answer for his failures. They can repeat his promises, but they cannot make those promises a reality. They can campaign in his name, but they cannot carry his responsibility,” he said.
Obi challenged the President to explain how his administration’s economic policies had improved the lives of ordinary Nigerians, particularly in the areas of food prices, transportation, electricity and housing.
“If the administration has delivered on its promises, why should the President be reluctant to defend that record before Nigerians himself? If the economy is improving, let him explain how that improvement is reflected in the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and necessities. If his policies are working, let him face the citizens who want to know when the hardship will end,” he said.
He argued that governance should not be used as an excuse to avoid public scrutiny, noting that a president seeking re-election must be prepared to account for his administration’s performance.
“Mr President, governance is not an excuse to avoid accountability. In a democracy, governance is the very record a candidate must defend before asking for another mandate,” Obi said.
According to him, Nigerians are being asked to assess Tinubu’s policies, promises and performance, rather than those of the surrogates campaigning on his behalf.
“You cannot send surrogates to collect the votes while keeping the President away from the questions. You cannot delegate the campaign and expect Nigerians to forget who must answer for the record,” he said.
Obi maintained that the electorate deserved direct engagement with the President rather than what he described as rehearsed talking points delivered by political allies.
“If there is a record to defend, let the President defend it. If there are promises yet to be fulfilled, let him explain them. And if Nigerians are being asked to renew his mandate, let him have the courage to face their questions.
“A President who seeks the people’s mandate must be prepared to face the people. Surrogates may carry the message, but they cannot carry the burden of accountability,” he added.