The Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to engage Nigerians directly as he seeks re-election in the 2027 presidential election, warning against what it described as “proxy campaigns” by political surrogates.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, on Tuesday, POMR alleged that President Tinubu was positioning himself to seek a second term without adequately meeting and engaging the electorate.
The media office said the President could use surrogates to represent him at certain functions or communicate government positions, but argued that he should personally meet Nigerians and answer questions concerning his administration and its record.
According to POMR, the 2027 presidential election “is not a ceremony to be performed by representatives,” but a contest for the leadership of more than 200 million Nigerians.
It said presidential candidates should have the courage to appear before the electorate, defend their records, explain their policies and respond directly to questions from citizens.
The organisation also criticised President Tinubu’s absence from the National Peace Accord convened by the National Peace Committee, chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
POMR described the absence as disrespectful to the efforts of General Abubakar, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and other stakeholders working to promote peaceful elections.
“The Nigerian people need to see the candidate. They need to hear the candidate. They need to question the candidate,” the statement said.
The media office also called for direct engagement by presidential candidates on major national platforms, including the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference and other forums where candidates are expected to discuss the state of the nation.
POMR challenged President Tinubu to personally explain the state of the economy, the hardship confronting Nigerians, the impact of his policies and what has changed since he assumed office in 2023.
It further asked the President to tell Nigerians what he would do differently if given another four-year mandate.
“If the President believes his administration has performed well, let him come before Nigerians and say so himself,” POMR stated.
The organisation urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop relying on political surrogates during the campaign and ensure that President Tinubu directly engages the electorate.
POMR maintained that the 2027 election should be determined by candidates’ competence, records, ideas and character rather than by the ability of political parties to deploy large numbers of surrogates.
“No more proxy campaigns. No more presidential hide-and-seek,” the statement declared.
The Peter Obi Media Office said Nigerians should be allowed to question President Tinubu directly and make their electoral decision based on his record and vision.
It concluded that the presidency should be viewed as an office of service to the people, stressing that Nigerians are electing “a servant of the people, not a demigod.”
