ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi, has said President Bola Tinubu cannot compete with the campaign activities of Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate Peter Obi.
Amadi made the statement on Friday during an interview on Arise News. He questioned why the President has not been actively campaigning across the country.
The President’s Absence
Amadi noted that second-term presidents usually hit the campaign trail to make their case to voters. He said the situation is different with the incumbent.
He said President Tinubu had not been travelling to states, including those affected by tragedies. He also said the President does not move around freely.
“There is no doubt about this president’s age and frailty; we’ve seen that happen before. Even in governance, he has not travelled across the country. He was on his way to Jos but cut the trip short because he couldn’t face the hostility of the road,” Amadi stated.
The Strategy
Amadi described the President’s approach as a good strategy but bad governance. He said the President has procured proxies, including over 30 governors. He said this allows the President to withdraw from active campaigning.
He said the President’s strategy is to minimise his weakness. But he warned that this might backfire.
“So, second-term presidents usually hit the road. They hit the road, make their case, and give explanations. And this president, you know, has procured proxies. If you have those thirty-something governors, you’ve made good progress. So, practically, he withdraws,” Amadi said.
Comparison with Opposition
Amadi said the APC cannot compete with the intensity of the NDC candidate. He also said Atiku Abubakar of the ADC would be less intense than Obi.
He said each party will devise a strategy to minimise its weakness. But he stressed that optics matter.
“If the opposition, as I suspect, drags this matter out, the question will be: ‘Can the President also turn up for television debates?’ Because that doesn’t involve travelling around the country,” he said.
Recommendation
Amadi said the President could remedy the situation by participating in debates. He said this would allow him to speak directly to the people and answer their concerns.
He said this might compensate for his limited presence on the campaign trail. He urged the President to take advantage of television debates.
“If he can get involved in actively talking to voters and answering their concerns, that may compensate for his reduced presence on the campaign trail,” he said.
What This Means
Amadi’s comments highlight concerns about the President’s visibility on the campaign trail. They also raise questions about his health and stamina.
For the APC, the strategy of using proxies may be effective. But it carries risks. The opposition may exploit the President’s absence to portray him as disconnected from the people.
For now, the President’s campaign team has not responded to Amadi’s comments. The coming months will reveal how the campaigns unfold.
