Obi camp knocks Tinubu over absence from key events

The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has lambasted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allegedly delegating key political responsibilities to "surrogates" in the lead-up to the January 16, 2027 presidential election. In a statement, POMR argued that the incumbent President is positioning himself for re-election without directly engaging with voters, accusing his administration of orchestrating a campaign through proxy representatives.

The media office cited the President's recent absence from various high-profile national events, such as the signing of the National Peace Accord and the Nigerian Bar Association's annual conference, as evidence of his lack of direct engagement with the electorate. POMR emphasized that the 2027 election is not merely a ceremonial act, but a contest for the leadership of over 200 million Nigerians, and called for the President to directly address citizens on pressing issues like the economy and policy outcomes since 2023.

The statement challenged both the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to shift their strategy towards competence, track records, and direct debate, rather than surrogate messaging. POMR stressed that the upcoming election should be a platform for electing a servant of the people, not a demigod, and urged President Tinubu to "come to the people" if he seeks a second term.