The All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained the political considerations behind President Bola Tinubu’s planned campaign appearances in 12 states ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The party’s proposed campaign itinerary indicates that Tinubu will personally attend rallies in selected states while other party leaders and campaign officials coordinate activities across the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The planned appearances are part of the ruling party’s strategy to mobilise voters, strengthen its political support base and improve its chances of securing victory in the next presidential election.
The 12 states listed in the proposed itinerary are Kaduna, Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa and Lagos.
According to reports on the campaign arrangement, the selection reflects a combination of electoral calculations, voter strength, political alliances and the need to consolidate support in strategically important areas.
Several of the selected states are considered significant battlegrounds because of their voting strength and the results of the 2023 presidential election.
Tinubu won the presidential election in Rivers, Oyo and Borno in 2023 but lost in several other states included in the proposed campaign schedule.
The planned visits are therefore expected to provide an opportunity for the president and the APC leadership to engage voters in areas where the party hopes to improve its electoral performance.
The inclusion of states such as Lagos, Kano and Kaduna is also significant because of their large numbers of registered voters and their influence on national electoral calculations.
The APC has maintained that limiting the president’s personal campaign appearances does not mean other states are being neglected. Instead, the party intends to deploy its campaign structures and political leaders to mobilise support nationwide.
A member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s media and strategic communications committee, Obafemi George, previously explained that Tinubu’s decision was informed by an assessment of the country’s electoral landscape and the need to ensure governance continues during the campaign period.
The party’s proposed nationwide campaign programme is scheduled to begin in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, and conclude with a grand rally in Lagos on January 9, 2027, subject to possible adjustments.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature intense competition among political parties seeking to win the support of Nigerian voters.
As preparations gather momentum, the APC will face the challenge of defending its record in government while persuading voters to support Tinubu for another term.
The effectiveness of the party’s campaign strategy will ultimately depend on its ability to mobilise voters, address public concerns and translate political support into votes on election day.
