President Bola Tinubu is expected to miss campaign rallies in more than 20 states as the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares to launch its 2027 presidential re-election campaign in Kaduna on October 24, 2026.
According to the campaign schedule released by the party on Thursday, APC leaders and members of the Presidential Campaign Council will represent the president at rallies in several states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The timetable indicates that Tinubu will personally attend rallies in 12 states, while party leaders are expected to lead campaign activities in the remaining states.
Under the schedule, the president will be absent from rallies in Cross River on November 2, Gombe on November 3, Nasarawa on November 4 and Ekiti on November 5. He is, however, expected to join the campaign in Rivers on November 7.
Tinubu will also miss rallies in Ebonyi on November 9, Jigawa on November 10, Ondo on November 11 and Edo on November 12 before returning to the campaign trail in Plateau on November 14.
Other scheduled rallies he is expected to miss include those in Yobe on November 16, Kebbi on November 17, Akwa Ibom on November 18, Anambra on November 19 and Benue on November 30.
The president is scheduled to attend rallies in Oyo on November 21, followed by Borno on November 25, Enugu on November 28 and Bauchi on November 29.
The campaign will continue into December, with rallies scheduled for Sokoto on December 5, Delta on December 12 and Kano on December 17.
Tinubu’s final scheduled appearances are in Adamawa on January 4, 2027, and Lagos on January 9.
The president had earlier explained that he would not attend every campaign rally, citing the need to balance electioneering with his responsibilities as head of government.
Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu said there was a country to run.
He, however, promised to make time to address Nigerians directly as party leaders and campaign council members canvass support for his re-election across states and local government areas.
The planned absences have attracted criticism from opposition figures, who have questioned the president’s decision not to personally attend rallies across the country.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) challenged Tinubu to campaign in every state or withdraw from the presidential race.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, a leading presidential contender in the 2027 election, also accused the president of avoiding direct engagement with Nigerians over his administration’s performance.
In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned Tinubu’s explanation that governance responsibilities could prevent him from attending some rallies.
“Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief?” Atiku asked.
He argued that Nigerians had endured rising living costs, reduced purchasing power and difficulties accessing essential services during Tinubu’s first term.
“Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term,” the former vice-president said.
The APC’s campaign schedule sets the stage for a nationwide contest in which the president’s personal appearances will be limited, while party leaders take on a significant role in mobilising voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
