Oshiomhole Says Tinubu Need Not Attend Every APC Campaign Rally

Former Edo State Governor and Senator Adams Oshiomhole has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to attend every All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections. Oshiomhole argued that the President could discharge his responsibilities without being physically present at every campaign engagement, insisting that there was no contradiction between his religious activities and his constitutional duties. The senator made the remarks on Friday during an interview on Arise Television while responding to questions about Tinubu’s planned absence from some APC rallies and his recent religious activities in Mecca. He dismissed suggestions that the President’s decision to limit his campaign appearances amounted to a failure to balance governance and political responsibilities. “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,’” Oshiomhole said. Using an analogy to explain his position, the former governor said a president did not have to be physically present everywhere to perform his duties. “A president is not like a teacher who must be in the classroom. But even now, you can be taught online,” he added. Oshiomhole also criticised the repeated questioning of Tinubu’s decision, arguing that the ruling party had the authority to determine how its presidential campaign would be organised. He maintained that the APC could decide which campaign events required the President’s presence and which could be handled by other party leaders. “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 exchange became tense when Oshiomhole accused the interviewer of repeatedly interrupting him. He further insisted that deciding where Tinubu would appear during the campaign was the party’s prerogative. “It is our right, it’s our prerogative to decide where we go, where the President goes and where he doesn’t,” he said. Tinubu had earlier announced that he would not accompany the APC Presidential Campaign Council to every campaign event ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking during the inauguration of the campaign council in Abuja on October 14, the President said Nigeria needed his attention and that the demands of governance should not be overshadowed by electioneering. He urged party members to take responsibility for mobilisation across states and local government areas, while promising to make time to address Nigerians directly. The APC subsequently outlined a campaign schedule identifying 12 states where Tinubu is expected to participate in rallies, while other party leaders are expected to lead activities elsewhere. The debate over the President’s campaign appearances comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.