Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to embark on a nationwide campaign tour, urging him to visit every state capital and interact directly with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Utomi made the call on Thursday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he stressed the importance of presidential candidates participating in debates and engaging voters before the election.
He maintained that Tinubu should be prepared to meet Nigerians face-to-face, defend his administration’s performance and explain his plans for the country rather than limit his participation in campaign activities.
According to the political economist, visiting communities across the country would provide the President with an opportunity to connect with citizens and demonstrate his willingness to engage with their concerns.
Utomi said, “If President Tinubu cares about the Nigerian people, he should stand in every state capital and some rural areas and shake hands with the people.”
The call came after Tinubu announced on Thursday, during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council in Abuja, that he would not attend campaign trips to every state ahead of the 2027 election.
The President is reportedly planning to visit only 12 states, leaving the governors and members of the campaign council to coordinate activities in the remaining states.
The decision has drawn criticism from opposition figures, some of whom have questioned the President’s readiness to face the electorate during the campaign.
Others have suggested that his decision to limit his campaign visits could be linked to public dissatisfaction with the economic situation in the country.
The critics argue that the economic crisis has placed considerable pressure on Nigerians and worsened living standards, raising questions about how the administration will address voters’ concerns as the 2027 election approaches.
