By Ckement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Spokesperson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo and political analyst, Dr Sam Amadi have criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision not to personally participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general election, raising concerns about his capacity to lead the country and the implications for Nigeria’s democracy.
The duo reacted in separate posts on their respective X handles on Wednesday, shortly after the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
Okonkwo described the development as an indication of what he called Tinubu’s physical incapacity to undertake the demanding task of a presidential campaign, arguing that the President should step down if he was no longer fit to discharge the responsibilities of his office.
He cited remarks by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who reportedly indicated that Tinubu would remain in office to concentrate on governance while party leaders and governors led the campaign.
According to Okonkwo, the arrangement suggested that the ruling party preferred the President to remain away from campaign activities because of concerns about his health and public appearances.
He also pointed to Tinubu’s reported decision to address Nigerians from his office rather than join campaign activities, insisting that the country needed a president capable of actively discharging the demands of the office.
“I agree that the President should step down from the post of President because he is unwell so that Nigeria will be governed by a fit and proper President,” Okonkwo said.
He urged Nigerians to vote against Tinubu in 2027, describing the prospect of his continued absence from campaign activities as a warning sign for the country’s leadership.
Okonkwo also endorsed former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, urging Nigerians to support his presidential ambition, which he associated with the promise of an affordable Nigeria.
Similarly, Amadi questioned the implications of Tinubu’s decision to stay away from the campaign trail, arguing that the President’s absence could leave governors and other party leaders to drive his re-election bid.
Amadi suggested that the governors could employ various means to secure votes for the President but urged them to conduct the campaign peacefully and allow opposition parties to operate freely.
He also called on political actors to respect the electorate’s right to determine the outcome of the 2027 election, despite Tinubu’s decision not to personally campaign.
“I just ask the governors to go about this proxy work in peaceful and allow the opposition to campaign freely and let the people decide for themselves return Tinubu to power despite not been able to campaign,” Amadi wrote.
Expressing concern about the state of the country’s democracy, the political analyst warned against further actions that could weaken democratic institutions, even amid fears about the possibility of military intervention.
“Nigerian democracy is already damaged. But we should not damage it further for fear of the military. We are vulnerable. Consider what is going around our West Africa,” he said.
Amadi stressed that protecting democratic governance should remain a priority, warning that Nigeria could not afford further damage to its democratic institutions. “We need democracy to survive,” he added.
Precise Post recalls that the comments come as the APC begins preparations for Tinubu’s re-election campaign, with the President expected to rely on the party’s campaign structures and political leaders to mobilise support ahead of the 2027 general election.
