President Bola Tinubu has signaled that he will not be showing up to every APC campaign rally ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking on the matter, Tinubu pointed to the weight of governing Nigeria as his reason, citing the country's financial obligations and his focus on attracting long-term investors to the country.
The acknowledgment is notable simply because it is rare for a sitting president to get ahead of the optics this early. Rather than letting his absence from future rallies become a talking point, Tinubu is framing his no-shows as proof that he is working.
Whether voters will accept that framing, or read the empty podium differently, remains the real question heading into 2027.
Originally published by Premium Times.