President Bola Tinubu is expected to miss campaign rallies in more than 20 states as the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its 2027 presidential re-election campaign.
According to the campaign timetable released by the party, Tinubu will personally attend rallies in 12 states, while other APC leaders and members of the Presidential Campaign Council will represent him in the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The nationwide campaign is scheduled to begin in Kaduna State on October 24, 2026, and conclude with a grand rally in Lagos on January 9, 2027.
States Where Tinubu Is Expected to Miss Campaign Rallies
The proposed timetable indicates that the President will not attend rallies in the following states:
- Cross River — November 2
- Gombe — November 3
- Nasarawa — November 4
- Ekiti — November 5
- Ebonyi — November 9
- Jigawa — November 10
- Ondo — November 11
- Edo — November 12
- Yobe — November 16
- Kebbi — November 17
- Akwa Ibom — November 18
- Anambra — November 19
- Benue — November 30
The report also states that APC leaders will represent the President at rallies in additional states scheduled for December.
States Tinubu Plans to Visit
Under the proposed schedule, Tinubu is expected to attend campaign rallies in 12 states, beginning with Kaduna on October 24.
His other planned appearances include Rivers on November 7, Plateau on November 14, Oyo on November 21, Borno on November 25, Enugu on November 28 and Bauchi on November 29.
The December campaign schedule includes Sokoto on December 5, Delta on December 12 and Kano on December 17. The President is also expected to attend rallies in Adamawa on January 4, 2027, and Lagos on January 9.
Why Tinubu Will Not Attend Every Rally
Tinubu has explained that his responsibilities as President will prevent him from participating in every campaign event. Speaking during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he said governance must remain a priority even as the party mobilises support for his re-election.
The President also cited Nigeria’s financial obligations and the need to attract investors as reasons for balancing campaign activities with official duties.
He assured party members that he would still make time to address Nigerians directly while campaign officials coordinate activities across states and local government areas.
Opposition Reacts to Tinubu’s Decision
The President’s planned absence from several rallies has attracted criticism from opposition figures.
The Allied Peoples Movement called on Tinubu to campaign across all states or withdraw from the presidential race, while former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar questioned his decision to skip some campaign events.
Atiku, through his campaign spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, argued that the President should directly engage voters and account for his administration’s performance before seeking another mandate.
The opposition has also raised questions about the President’s reasons for limiting his campaign appearances. Tinubu, however, has attributed the decision to the demands of governance.
The proposed timetable outlines the APC’s campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with the party relying on its leadership and campaign council to maintain a nationwide presence while the President attends selected rallies.
Note: The schedule is proposed and may change. The list above identifies states explicitly named in the report’s November timetable; it should not be treated as a complete list of every state where Tinubu will be absent.
