ABUJA, NIGERIA — The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has introduced fresh guidelines for President Bola Tinubu’s campaign rallies ahead of the 2027 general election.
The guidelines restrict ministers, political appointees, and campaign council members to rallies organised in their respective home states.
The directive was contained in a circular dated Tuesday. It was signed by the Director-General of the council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar. It was addressed to all directors and heads of directorates.
Purpose of the Guidelines
The circular outlined participation guidelines for the party’s presidential campaign rallies. The rallies will hold across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the council, the guidelines are intended to ensure effective coordination and grassroots mobilisation. They are also designed to help the APC intensify its nationwide campaign.
It described the rallies as platforms for strengthening the party’s support base. They will also be used to communicate the achievements of President Tinubu to voters.
“Campaign rallies are intended to energise the base of the All Progressives Congress in the states and zones. They will also communicate the achievements of His Excellency, the President, to the electorate,” the circular stated.
Restrictions for Appointees
The council directed directorates without specific responsibilities at the rallies to concentrate on implementing their approved work plans and budgets.
Ministers and other political appointees were specifically instructed to attend only rallies organised in their home states.
“They are required to attend only the rallies held in their home states,” the circular stated.
It further directed the appointees to concentrate on grassroots mobilisation. This should cover polling units, wards, and Local Government Areas, in line with the campaign’s pyramid structure.
Members of the Presidential Campaign Council were also restricted to rallies in their respective home states. They were instructed to focus on implementing their directorates’ approved work plans.
The circular stated that they were expected to strengthen grassroots mobilisation across polling units, wards, and LGAs.
National Working Committee
For members of the APC National Working Committee, the council directed them to concentrate on party activities and mobilisation. This should be within their respective states and geopolitical zones.
However, the directive exempted some national officers from the home-state attendance restriction. These are the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Women’s Leader, National Youth Leader, and National Organising Secretary.
The council also announced plans to increase the visibility of the party’s legislative candidates during the rallies. It said it would strengthen the presence of APC candidates contesting seats in the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate.
Directors were subsequently instructed to communicate the guidelines to all officers under their respective directorates. They were also directed to ensure compliance.
Tinubu’s Stance
The latest directive comes about three weeks after President Tinubu announced that he would not attend every APC campaign rally. He cited the demands of governance and the country’s financial obligations.
Speaking on October 14, 2026, during the inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Tinubu urged members to take charge of the party’s mobilisation efforts. He said he would concentrate on governance.
“You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now,” he said.
The president also told campaign council members that he would be unable to accompany them to every campaign event.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” he said.
Tinubu, however, assured the council that he would make time to address Nigerians directly. He said members would coordinate campaign activities across states and local government areas.
Campaign Timetable
Following his announcement, the APC released a nationwide campaign timetable covering the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Under the schedule, Tinubu is expected to lead rallies in 12 states. These include Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, and Adamawa.
Lagos State is scheduled to host the grand finale of the campaign on January 9, 2027.
What This Means
The guidelines are a strategic move by the APC. They aim to ensure that campaign rallies are well-coordinated and effective.
The restrictions on appointees and campaign council members are designed to focus efforts on grassroots mobilisation. This is critical for winning elections.
What Happens Next
The APC will continue its campaign across the country. The party will also intensify its efforts to mobilise voters.
For now, the focus is on the 2027 elections. The coming months will reveal how the campaign unfolds.
