The Democratic Front (TDF) has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to prioritise governance over attending all campaign rallies ahead of the January 2027 presidential election as a novel and exemplary step in Nigeria’s democratic culture.
The group said the decision demonstrated the President’s commitment to ensuring that government business continues uninterrupted while his campaign team engages voters ahead of the election.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, TDF said the move reflected Tinubu’s determination to put national interest above partisan political considerations.
According to the group, the decision aligns with the administration’s Nigeria First policy, which it said was launched on May 5, 2025, following approval by the Federal Executive Council.
“The pertinence of the President’s decision to prioritise governance over personal political interest is the remarkable proof of his readiness to walk the talk about his administration’s policy of ‘Nigeria First’,” the statement said.
TDF argued that maintaining focus on governance during the election period was particularly important given the country’s economic circumstances and the need to sustain the gains of the administration’s reforms.
The group also criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for questioning Tinubu’s campaign schedule, describing the criticism as misplaced.
“We consider it unpatriotic and condemnable for any presidential candidate in the opposition camp to criticise President Bola Tinubu over his novel decision to place governance above partisan electioneering campaigns, the way and manner the presidential candidate of ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has done,” it said.
TDF maintained that Tinubu had demonstrated leadership by ensuring that official responsibilities would not be sidelined by campaign activities, adding that the President’s decision was in the country’s best interest.
The group further argued that the President had established a campaign team capable of presenting his administration’s record to Nigerians without requiring him to attend every rally personally.
Citing the administration’s policies and programmes, TDF highlighted student loans, healthcare interventions for patients requiring kidney and cancer treatment, investments in agriculture and measures aimed at strengthening public revenue.
The statement also credited the administration with efforts to address insecurity and improve economic conditions, arguing that these initiatives provided the basis for the President to seek another four year term.
According to TDF, the President’s physical absence from some campaign rallies should not be interpreted as a political disadvantage, insisting that his campaign team could communicate the administration’s achievements to voters.
The group concluded that opposition candidates would be mistaken to assume that Tinubu’s decision to devote more time to governance would weaken his re-election prospects.
