By Myke Uzendu
The Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi has cautioned Nigerians against electing an “absentee president” in the 2027 presidential election, challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally engage the electorate and defend his administration’s record.
Obi in a statement on Tuesday issued by Peter Obi Media Office (POMR), said the President could not seek another four-year mandate while relying primarily on ministers, party officials, media aides, governors and other political surrogates to campaign on his behalf.
The statement signed its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, with the title, “No More Proxy Campaigns, Nigeria: The President Should Be a Servant-Leader, Not a Demigod,” Obi alleged that Tinubu was positioning himself for re-election without sufficiently meeting Nigerians.
He said the 2027 election was a contest for the leadership of more than 200 million Nigerians and therefore required presidential candidates to personally present their records, ideas and plans to voters.
“The Nigerian people need to see the candidate. They need to hear the candidate. They need to question the candidate,” POMR said.
The former Anambra State governor criticised Tinubu’s absence from the National Peace Accord convened by the National Peace Committee under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, saying his absence undermined the efforts of those working to promote peaceful elections.
He also called for direct engagement between presidential candidates and Nigerians at major national platforms, including professional and civic forums.
According to the statement, if Tinubu believed his administration had performed well since assuming office in 2023, he should personally explain his economic policies and achievements to Nigerians.
“If the President believes his administration has performed well, let him come before Nigerians and say so himself,” it said.
“Let him explain the economy. Let him explain the hardship confronting families. Let him explain his policies. Let the candidate explain what has changed since 2023. Let him tell Nigerians what he intends to do differently in a second term.”
Obi said Nigerians also deserved an opportunity to question the President about the challenges confronting the country and his plans for a second term.
He argued that the 2027 election should be determined by candidates’ competence, records, ideas and character rather than the strength of their political surrogates.
He consequently challenged Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to abandon what it described as “proxy campaigns” and engage Nigerians directly.
“No more proxy campaigns. No more presidential hide-and-seek,” the statement declared.
“If President Tinubu wants a second term, let him come to the people. Let him see and hear the people. And let Nigerians question him and decide — not on the voices of his surrogates, but on the record and vision of the man asking for their votes.”
