2027: I won’t tour campaign grounds, governance will continue, Nigeria needs fixing now — Tinubu

• Says governance will continue during campaign

• Tells APC governors, lawmakers: No credit for incomplete assignment

• Promises support for more women in National Assembly, state legislatures

• Says state police will become reality

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President Bola Tinubu has said he will not attend every campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that Nigeria’s pressing needs require his attention and that governance must continue alongside electioneering.

Tinubu said the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council would lead the party’s mobilisation across states and local government areas, while he would make time to address Nigerians directly without accompanying campaigners to every location.

The President spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election.

He said he agreed with party leaders who had advised him not to allow campaign activities to distract him from the responsibilities of his office.

“I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause,” Tinubu said.

Explaining why he would not travel to every campaign ground, the President said the government had pressing financial obligations and needed to attract investors to support the country’s future.

“The job must go on,” he said. “We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait. We want those investors to come in, be here to stay, to invest for the future of our children.”

Tinubu charged the campaign council to take the party’s record, vision and agenda to Nigerians across the country, down to the ward level.

“Let the word go out from this hall to every corner of our nation. The APC is ready,” he said.

Describing the inauguration as more than the establishment of a campaign structure, Tinubu said the party was renewing its commitment to Nigerians and the responsibilities entrusted to it as the governing party.

“We have gathered not merely to inaugurate a council. We have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with the Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have thrust to us as Nigeria’s governing party. We promise we will not let them down,” he said.

The President also warned APC governors, lawmakers and other party leaders against taking previous electoral efforts for granted, insisting that their performance in the 2027 election would determine whether they had fulfilled their assignment.

“No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment. So until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you,” he said.

Tinubu promises support for more women in politics

The President also pledged to support legislative efforts to increase women’s representation in the National Assembly and state-level legislatures, describing women as key mobilisers and voters.

“Women are the greatest mobilisers and voters. And from this hall, I assure you, the sponsorship of the bill,” he said.

He urged women to work towards securing greater representation, promising to support efforts to increase their numbers at both national and sub-national levels.

“The women deserve seats. Go and work for it, come to fruition. We will increase the number of women’s representation at both National Assembly and sub-national level. I assure you that,” Tinubu said.

On security, the President declared that state police would become a reality, signalling his support for the proposed restructuring of policing in the country.

“On security, state police will be a reality,” he said.

Tinubu commended the party leadership for conducting its congresses and strengthening its structures from ward to national level, describing the APC as increasingly united.

He urged party members to remain determined in their efforts to build the country, recalling measures taken during his tenure as Lagos State governor to address the threat of flooding from the Atlantic Ocean.

“There is no limit to daring. You must dare, you must be determined,” he said.

Tinubu subsequently declared the Presidential Campaign Council inaugurated, tasking it with taking the party’s message to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general election.