•Tinubu and APM logo
The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of avoiding direct engagement with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections, challenging him to embark on nationwide campaigns or withdraw from the presidential race.
The campaign organisation, in a statement yesterday in Abuja alleged that the president’s reported decision not to accompany members of his campaign council to campaign rallies across the country reflected his reluctance to confront public dissatisfaction with his administration.
The statement, signed by the Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Ihediwa, also criticised Tinubu for referring to himself as “Governor Tinubu” during the inauguration of his presidential campaign council, describing the remark as a cause for concern.
According to the MDPCO, the President’s reported decision to delegate nationwide campaign activities to members of his council raises questions about his willingness to defend his administration’s record before the electorate.
The organisation argued that a presidential candidate seeking re-election should be prepared to engage voters directly, explain his policies and account for his administration’s performance.
It further alleged that the decision had heightened concerns about the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s commitment to a credible electoral process, although it provided no specific evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegation.
The campaign organisation maintained that Tinubu should use the electioneering period to address Nigerians on the state of the economy, electricity supply, security and other pressing national challenges.
On electricity, the MDPCO recalled the president’s reported pledge that Nigerians should not re-elect him in 2027 if his administration failed to improve power supply.
It alleged that electricity supply had deteriorated under the current administration, while electricity tariffs had increased significantly, placing additional financial pressure on households and businesses.
The organisation also accused the Tinubu administration of failing to deliver on its promises of employment generation and economic prosperity, claiming that millions of Nigerians had been pushed deeper into poverty.
It blamed the removal of petrol subsidies, the naira’s exchange-rate reforms and other economic policies for worsening living conditions, arguing that the measures had imposed severe hardship on vulnerable households.
According to the campaign organisation, rising food prices, declining purchasing power and increasing living costs have left many Nigerians struggling to afford basic necessities.
On security, the MDPCO accused the federal government of failing to contain terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the country.
It claimed that persistent attacks and abductions had continued to threaten lives and property, insisting that the administration had yet to fulfil its promises of improved national security.
The organisation argued that these challenges made it necessary for Tinubu to explain his administration’s record directly to voters rather than relying solely on campaign officials to solicit support for his re-election.
It added that Nigerians deserved an opportunity to question the President about his policies and the impact of his administration on their daily lives.
“If President Tinubu is so fatigued that he cannot go round the country to canvass for votes, then he should withdraw from the race,” the organisation said.
The MDPCO also advocated a more active style of leadership, arguing that the presidency requires sustained engagement with citizens and direct attention to the country’s economic and security challenges.
It subsequently promoted the candidacy of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) presidential candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, presenting his RESET NIGERIA Agenda as an alternative approach to addressing the country’s problems.
According to the organisation, Makinde has been engaging voters across the country and presenting his policy proposals as part of efforts to secure support ahead of the 2027 elections.
The campaign organisation described the APM candidate as competent and resourceful, citing his record of achievements and promising that his proposed agenda would address Nigeria’s security, economic and social challenges.
The MDPCO concluded by urging Tinubu to reconsider his re-election bid if he was unwilling to campaign directly before Nigerians, stressing that seeking another presidential mandate should come with a willingness to defend one’s record before the electorate.
