2027: Tinubu to miss rallies in over 20 States as APC releases campaign timetable

President Bola Tinubu is expected to miss several state rallies during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign for the 2027 general election, with party leaders and members of the Presidential Campaign Council scheduled to represent him in more than 20 states.

According to a campaign timetable released by the APC late Thursday, the campaign will begin in Kaduna State on October 24, 2026, with Tinubu expected to attend rallies in 12 states while other party leaders cover the remaining locations.

A copy of the schedule obtained by Daily Trust indicates that the president will not attend several rallies in November, although he is expected to join the campaign in Rivers State on November 7.

The timetable lists rallies in Cross River on November 2, Gombe on November 3, Nasarawa on November 4 and Ekiti on November 5, with Tinubu not scheduled to attend those events.

He is also expected to be absent from rallies in Ebonyi on November 9, Jigawa on November 10, Ondo on November 11 and Edo on November 12.

The president is scheduled to return to the campaign trail in Plateau State on November 14 but will reportedly miss rallies in Yobe on November 16, Kebbi on November 17, Akwa Ibom on November 18 and Anambra on November 19.

According to the schedule, Tinubu will attend the rally in Oyo State on November 21 before the campaign moves to Borno on November 25, Enugu on November 28 and Bauchi on November 29. He is not scheduled to attend the rally in Benue on November 30.

Tinubu’s Campaign to Continue in December

The APC campaign timetable shows that the president’s campaign activities will continue in December, with rallies scheduled for Sokoto State on December 5, Delta on December 12 and Kano on December 17.

His final two scheduled appearances are in Adamawa State on January 4, 2027, and Lagos State on January 9.

Party leaders and campaign council members are expected to represent him at rallies in other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The timetable therefore provides for Tinubu to personally attend rallies in 12 states, leaving other party leaders to lead campaign activities in the remaining locations.

Tinubu Cites Responsibilities of Governance

The planned absences follow Tinubu’s earlier explanation that he would not attend every APC campaign rally because he must balance electioneering with his responsibilities as president.

Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu said the country still needed to be governed, suggesting that his official duties would limit his participation in some campaign activities.

He nevertheless pledged to make time to address Nigerians directly as APC leaders travel across states and local government areas to canvass support for his re-election.

Opposition Questions Tinubu’s Planned Absences

The opposition has criticised the president’s proposed campaign schedule, with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) reportedly challenging him to attend rallies in every state or withdraw from the presidential race.

Some opposition figures have also questioned the reasons for his planned absences, while the ADC Presidential Campaign Council has linked the decision to concerns about his administration’s performance.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, its Director of Strategic Communication, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar accused Tinubu of avoiding direct engagement with Nigerians over the record of his administration.

“Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief? He has had three and a half years to govern. In that time, families have been forced to cut meals, postpone medical care and watch their earnings lose value before they get home,” Atiku said.

“Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term.”

The opposition’s criticism adds to the political debate over how Tinubu will balance his presidential responsibilities with the demands of a nationwide re-election campaign.

The APC’s schedule indicates that the president will attend selected rallies while relying on party leaders to coordinate activities in other states ahead of the 2027 general election.

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