Stop Hiding in Aso Rock” – Peter Obi Fearlessly Challenges Tinubu Ahead of 2027 Election

Ahead of the upcoming federal political contests, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has formally challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to directly address the Nigerian public regarding his administration’s policies, programs, and economic record rather than relying on political proxies.

The challenge was articulated in a detailed public statement issued on Tuesday by the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) and signed by its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri. The statement urged the sitting President to directly account for his initial term in office as discussions build toward the January 16, 2027, presidential election.

According to the POMR statement, political observations suggest that President Tinubu is preparing to seek reelection without engaging in direct public interactions with the electorate. The media office raised concerns that the administration may depend significantly on cabinet ministers, political party officials, state governors, media aides, and other surrogates to conduct campaign engagements on behalf of the presidency.

Also Read : “I Didn’t Say That” — Kuje Chairman Speaks on Viral Video Threat

While acknowledging that political representatives may properly act on behalf of the President at standard official functions, Ejes Gist News understands, the media office maintained that representation by proxy cannot substitute for direct presidential debates and citizen engagements during an election cycle.

Peter Obi Media Office Demands Direct Account of Presidential Record

The POMR statement criticized the socio-economic impact of the administration’s first-term policies and asserted that a President seeking a mandate renewal must publicly articulate any proposed policy shifts for a potential second term.

The statement emphasized that the 2027 presidential contest ought to center on direct public presentations of administrative records, policy frameworks, and national development plans directly to the voting public.

“The Nigerian people need to see the candidate. They need to hear the candidate. They need to question the candidate,” the statement stated.

The media office further alleged that current political indicators suggest an intent by the incumbent leadership to remain situated within the presidential villa rather than appearing at public campaign forums across the nation.

“The Peter Obi Media Office has observed some disturbing trends ahead of the January 16, 2027, Presidential election that should be nipped in the bud before it develops. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is positioning himself to be re-elected for a second term without meeting the electorate,” the POMR statement highlighted.

“Indications are evident that the President plans to hide in Aso Rock and expect hired surrogates to meet the people on his behalf. This is not democracy and must be rejected by the people.”

Addressing the distinction between official duties and political campaign obligations, the statement outlined:

“President Tinubu can deploy surrogates to speak for him, sign documents on his behalf, or represent him at some public events, but he cannot send a surrogate to meet the Nigerian people on his behalf.

“The 2027 election is not a ceremony to be performed by representatives. It is a contest for the leadership of more than 200 million Nigerians, and those seeking the mandate must have the courage to stand before the people, answer their questions, and defend their records.”

Absence from National Forums and Peace Accord Highlighted

The POMR statement also raised concerns regarding President Tinubu’s non-attendance at notable public platforms and national civic events, pointing specifically to the National Peace Accord organized by the National Peace Committee.

The committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar alongside prominent civic and religious leaders such as Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, regularly convenes presidential contenders to promote peaceful, transparent electoral processes.

The media office characterized the President’s absence from such gatherings as a departure from the established framework of public accountability, referencing similar non-appearances at gatherings such as the annual Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference.

“At the National Peace Accord convened by the National Peace Committee under the leadership of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the President was missing, disrespecting the painstaking work of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and others in promoting peaceful elections.

“The Nigerian people need to see the candidate. They need to hear the candidate. They need to question the candidate. The same applies to every major national platform, including the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference and other forums where candidates are expected to engage Nigerians on the state of the nation.”

Call for a Platform-Based Campaign Contest Ahead of 2027

The media office asserted that public accountability requires presidential candidates to directly address economic conditions, citizen hardship, and governance performance without relying on communications teams or party surrogates.

“A President asking Nigerians for another four years cannot permanently hide behind ministers, party officials, media aides, governors, or other political surrogates. The office belongs to the people; the mandate belongs to the people; and the accountability must be directly to the people.

“If the President believes his administration has performed well, let him come before Nigerians and say so himself.

“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. And let him hear directly from the citizens whose votes he seeks.”

The statement urged the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the presidency to adopt a candidate-led campaign strategy focused on direct public engagement and open debate.

“This is not disrespect. It is democracy. We, therefore, challenge the President and the APC to stop campaigning through surrogates and start engaging the Nigerian people directly.

“Nigeria does not need another election in which Nigerians hear more from political surrogates than from the presidential candidate himself.

“The 2027 election must be a contest of candidates, competence, records, ideas, and character, not a contest of who can deploy the loudest army of surrogates. No more proxy campaigns. No more presidential hide-and-seek.

“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. This is the spirit of democracy. We are electing a servant of the people, not a demigod.”

Neither the presidency nor the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a formal response to the specific points raised in the POMR statement as of the time of reporting.