By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to personally defend his administration’s record before Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that the President cannot rely on political surrogates to campaign for his re-election.
Obi, through his media office, said Nigerians deserved direct answers from Tinubu on the country’s economic situation and the impact of government policies on their daily lives.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the spokesman of the Peter Obi Media Office, Idris Zekeri Jnr., the former Anambra State governor questioned reports that the demands of governance might keep Tinubu away from the campaign trail.
“Nigerians deserve to ask: If he cannot make time to face the electorate, why should surrogates be sent to ask for their votes?” the statement queried.
Obi argued that the President could not delegate accountability to political allies, party leaders and supporters while asking Nigerians to renew his mandate for another four years.
“The President cannot delegate accountability. He cannot outsource the defence of his record to political allies, party chieftains, and praise singers while millions of Nigerians struggle with the consequences of his government’s policies,” he said.
The statement maintained that although political surrogates could communicate the President’s message, they could not answer questions about his administration’s performance or fulfil promises on his behalf.
“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,” Obi’s media office stated.
The former presidential candidate challenged Tinubu to explain how his administration’s policies had improved the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly amid concerns about the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing and other essential commodities.
It asked the President to demonstrate how the country’s economic performance had translated into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens.
“If the economy is improving, let him explain how that improvement is reflected in the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and necessities. If his policies are working, let him face the citizens who want to know when the hardship will end,” the statement said.
Obi’s media office argued that the demands of governance should not be used as justification for avoiding direct engagement with voters, stressing that a candidate seeking another term must be prepared to account for his performance.
“Governance is not an excuse to avoid accountability. In a democracy, governance is the very record a candidate must defend before asking for another mandate,” it added.
The statement further maintained that the 2027 presidential election would require Nigerians to assess Tinubu’s policies, promises and achievements rather than rely solely on campaign messages delivered by his supporters.
It said the electorate deserved an opportunity to question the President directly about the state of the nation and the progress made under his administration.
“The Nigerian people deserve a direct conversation with their President, not a relay of rehearsed talking points from political messengers,” the statement declared.
Obi’s media office insisted that Tinubu should personally explain any unfulfilled promises and defend his administration’s record if he intended to seek re-election.
It added that voters should be able to judge the President based on his own responses rather than explanations offered by political allies.
“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,” the statement said.
The statement concluded that seeking another presidential mandate required direct engagement with the electorate and a willingness to accept responsibility for government decisions.
“A President who seeks the people’s mandate must be prepared to face the people. Surrogates may carry the message, but they cannot carry the burden of accountability,” it said.
