Peter Obi’s media office has turned President Bola Tinubu’s decision to delegate much of his re-election campaign to party members into a challenge over accountability, insisting that political allies cannot answer for the administration’s failures.
The media office of Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), urged Tinubu to personally defend his policies, campaign promises and performance before Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Idris Zekeri, spokesperson for Obi’s media office, said the president should not rely on party leaders and political allies to make his case to voters without directly addressing concerns about the state of the nation.
The statement challenged Tinubu to explain how his administration’s economic policies had affected the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing and other essential needs.
“If the administration has delivered on its promises, why should the President be reluctant to defend that record before Nigerians himself?” Zekeri asked.
He argued that political allies could promote the president’s achievements and repeat his promises but could not take responsibility for his administration’s shortcomings.
“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,” the statement said.
Zekeri maintained that governance should not become an excuse for avoiding public scrutiny, particularly when an incumbent president is seeking another term.
According to him, Nigerians should have the opportunity to question Tinubu directly about his policies, the implementation of his campaign promises and the economic realities confronting households.
“Nigerians are not being asked to elect your surrogates. They are being asked to assess you, your policies, your promises, and your performance,” the statement added.
The Obi media office further argued that the president could not delegate campaign mobilisation to party members and expect to escape questions about his administration’s record.
It insisted that a candidate seeking a renewed mandate must be prepared to explain both his achievements and unfulfilled promises to the electorate.
“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,” Zekeri said.
The criticism followed Tinubu’s reported decision to leave much of the grassroots mobilisation for his re-election campaign to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following advice from party leaders that campaign activities should not distract him from governance.
The president said he had accepted the advice, stressing that the country required his attention as his administration continued to implement its economic reforms.
“You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
He added that Nigeria needed more attention than ever, emphasising that the responsibilities of his office would not be suspended because of the election season.
Although Tinubu indicated that he would participate actively in the campaign, he said he would leave much of the grassroots mobilisation to party members rather than attend every rally.
The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the balance between governance and electioneering, with Obi’s media office insisting that Tinubu’s record in office should remain central to the debate over whether he deserves another presidential mandate.
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