2027 Campaign: Who is Asking Nigerians For Their Votes  Tinubu Or His Political Proxies? Why Tinubu Must Engage Nigerians Directly

By Kenneth Eze

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration that he will not accompany his campaign team to every state ahead of the 2027 presidential election raises serious questions about presidential accountability, public confidence and the electorate’s right to engage directly with candidates seeking another mandate.

At the inauguration of his presidential campaign team in Abuja, Tinubu explained that the responsibilities of his office would not pause during the campaign and that he would make time to address Nigerians. While governing must continue during an election, a presidential campaign is not merely a mobilisation exercise; it is an opportunity for democratic accountability.

Hence, the decision to delegate campaign engagements to political associates’ risks creating a distance between the President and the very citizens whose votes he seeks.

Nigerians deserve to hear directly and receive answers from the man asking them to renew his mandate, particularly about the policies, sacrifices and economic realities experienced since May 2023. They want explanations about the administration’s economic reforms, rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment and the overall impact of government policies on their livelihoods.

Political surrogates can communicate the administration’s position, but they cannot replace the candidate’s personal accountability.

More troubling is how this development could be interpreted by critics against the background of persistent public speculation about the President’s health. His decision to delegate campaign appearances does not establish that the rumors are true.

Nevertheless, critics may portray it as reinforcing their suspicions, potentially weakening public confidence and discouraging some would-be supporters from maintaining their allegiance.

A health condition is not, in itself, a disqualification from leadership. Public officeholders are entitled to medical privacy, and health speculation should never substitute for evidence. However, where unanswered questions begin to influence public confidence in a presidential candidate’s capacity to undertake the demands of office, responsible transparency becomes important.

Tinubu and his campaign organisation should address legitimate concerns through clear, factual communication rather than leaving an information vacuum for speculation. Nigerians deserve reassurance grounded in credible information, not rumors, political propaganda or dismissive responses to reasonable questions.

The implications extend beyond one candidate. When political surrogates dominate campaigns, voters risk becoming spectators while consequential decisions remain concentrated around individuals they cannot directly question.

This weakens meaningful participation and reduces elections to contests of messaging rather than informed scrutiny. His decision also raises questions about access and engagement.

Furthermore, Nigerians are not merely an audience to receive campaign messages; they are citizens entitled to question the person seeking their votes. The danger is that political parties may gradually turn elections into contests dominated by proxies, expensive publicity and carefully controlled messaging, leaving candidates insufficiently exposed to public scrutiny.

This weakens informed participation and risks reducing voters to spectators.

A second-term mandate must be earned through performance, persuasion and accountability not delegated entirely to political surrogates.  Nigerians must be allowed to assess the President’s record, challenge his explanations and make their own informed choices at the ballot box.

President Tinubu should therefore publish a clear programme of direct engagements with Nigerians, including open town halls, unscripted media interviews and direct engagements with citizens across Nigeria.

A presidential mandate cannot be delegated, and public trust cannot be outsourced. If Tinubu seeks another four years, Nigerians must have a meaningful opportunity to question him, assess his record and decide whether he deserves their continued support with regard to what he would deliver differently.

Democracy demands nothing less.

Kenneth Eze, an Election Observer based in Abuja Nigeria’s capital city.