Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s approach to the 2027 presidential election, saying the president appears to be relying on state governors to make his case to Nigerians.

Amadi made the remarks during an appearance on Arise News Prime Time, where he discussed Tinubu’s political strategy, the challenges facing the country and the expected intensity of campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election.

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According to him, Tinubu’s apparent decision to limit his travels across the country may be a calculated political strategy, but he argued that it raises questions about governance and the president’s engagement with Nigerians.

“No doubt about it, this president’s age, frailty, we’ve seen that happen before, even in governance, he has not traveled across the country, he has not visited sites where there are tragedies,” Amadi said.

He added that the president’s approach could be understood as a strategy designed around his perceived strengths and weaknesses.

“I think, first, it’s a question of strategy, and strategy builds on your strength and weakness,” he said.

Amadi argued that the country’s economic situation makes it important for political leaders to explain their records to voters, regardless of their party affiliations.

“For example, just this week, the World Bank says we have the highest number of multidimensional poor people. So anyhow you look at it, whether you’re APC, PDP, or NDC, the facts are that this is a bad time in terms of economic outcomes,” he said.

Tinubu Relying on Governors, Says Amadi

The political analyst said second-term presidents typically travel across the country to defend their records and explain their policies to voters as they seek another mandate.

He suggested that Tinubu’s approach differs from that expectation because of the apparent reliance on political allies, particularly state governors.

“So in second term presidents usually go, you know, the whole course, they go down the road, they are hitting the road, making their case. Give explanations. And this president, you know, has procured proxies. You know, if you have 37 state governors, you’ve got good proxies,” Amadi said.

He added: “So tactically, he withdraws. That’s what it looks. The alibi around or the excuse around the weight of governors.”

Amadi maintained that governing and campaigning are not mutually exclusive, arguing that a president can continue to discharge official responsibilities while also engaging voters ahead of an election.

“Of course, presidents, as I say, you can chew gum and walk. Presidents govern. That’s why they have the cabinet, but they also make sure they campaign,” he said.

Amadi Raises Questions Over Opposition Campaigns

Amadi also discussed how political parties could approach the 2027 election, suggesting that their campaign strategies would be shaped by their respective strengths and weaknesses.

He said the ruling party would have to consider the intensity of the campaigns expected from opposition figures, including those associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

“So each party will carve out strategy around how can we minimize our weakness, which is essentially that is the president who doesn’t have the energy to do this round, you know, round three,” he said.

Amadi further warned that the debate over Tinubu’s public appearances could become more consequential if opposition parties continued to raise questions about his engagement with voters.

He suggested that the issue could extend beyond nationwide campaign tours to include presidential television debates and opportunities for Nigerians to hear directly from the president.

“That’s where the strategy might be a bad one, because if the opposition, I suspect, drag this matter out, the question will now be, can the president also turn up for television debates? Can the president also willingly engage?” he asked.

Responding to the suggestion that television debates would not require extensive travelling, Amadi said direct engagement with voters could help address concerns about the president’s limited physical campaigning.

“So if he can get involved in actively talking to voters and answer their concern, that may compensate for less energy,” he said.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has questioned the moral justification for another eight-year presidential tenure for northern Nigeria following the completion of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s two terms in office.

Ulasi argued that although the Constitution does not prohibit another northern president from serving after Buhari, such an arrangement would be morally wrong in view of the informal power rotation between the northern and southern parts of the country.

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He made the remarks on Arise News’ The Morning Show on Friday, October 16, 2026, during a discussion on opposition politics and the political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the PDP chieftain, Nigeria’s political leadership has traditionally been shaped by an informal understanding that presidential power should alternate between the North and the South to promote fairness and a sense of inclusion.

He argued that the North having completed eight years under Buhari should be a consideration in determining the region that produces the next president.

“So if Buhari just finished eight years, I don’t see how nothing will again come out to run eight years. It is morally wrong. It is not constitutionally wrong, but it’s morally wrong. It is wrong,” Ulasi said.

His comments came as the discussion turned to the challenges confronting opposition parties and their preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

During the interview, Ulasi also addressed the role of religion in Nigerian politics, dismissing the suggestion that religious identity should determine political support.

He said he had never considered religion a decisive factor in his political discussions, stressing that the character and quality of individuals seeking public office should matter more.

“For me, they are Nigerians. Religion has never been part of my discussion in politics. Absolutely not,” he said.

The PDP chieftain maintained that Nigerians should be assessed as citizens regardless of their religious backgrounds.

When the discussion shifted to ethnicity, Ulasi acknowledged that ethnic identity was an undeniable part of Nigerian society but cautioned against using it as an instrument of political division.

He explained that a person’s name or ethnic background did not diminish their status as a Nigerian, arguing that national identity should remain central to political participation.

Ulasi also criticised opposition parties for failing to make sufficient use of Nigerians’ economic grievances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He cited inflation, rising food prices and other economic difficulties as issues opposition parties could use to present alternative policies to voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, he questioned whether opposition figures were doing enough to engage Nigerians and explain how they would address the country’s challenges.

Ulasi said opposition parties should organise town hall meetings across the geopolitical zones to communicate their programmes and engage citizens directly.

He added that he had not seen the level of nationwide engagement he expected from opposition leaders.

The Nigeria Police Force has warned Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying their future is more valuable than temporary political inducements.

The warning was contained in a goodwill message delivered by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Annie Iniedu, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, at a National Orientation Agency (NOA) initiative to mobilise Nigerians at the grassroots ahead of the elections on Thursday.

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The initiative was held under the theme, “Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Future.”

In the message, the Inspector-General urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace issue-based campaigns, tolerance and respect for the rule of law.

“Elections must never become a licence for thuggery, intimidation, vote-buying, ballot-snatching, destruction of electoral materials, or violence,” he said.

Addressing young Nigerians, the police chief warned them against becoming instruments of political violence.

“To our youths in particular: do not allow yourselves to be used as instruments of political violence. Your future is more valuable than any temporary political inducement,” he said.

He also urged eligible voters to reject voter apathy and vote-buying, encouraging them to protect their votes and participate peacefully in the electoral process.

“To all our eligible voters, I urge you to reject voter apathy and vote-buying. Your vote is your voice. Protect it, exercise it peacefully, and allow democracy to work for our nation,” he said.

The Inspector-General assured Nigerians that the police would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect the integrity of the 2027 elections.

He said the collaboration would involve intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and professional policing to provide a safe and secure environment for voters.

“The Nigerian Police Force assures all Nigerians that we shall remain professional, impartial, and firm against criminal elements seeking to undermine the electoral process,” he said.

The police chief further called for collective efforts to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027.

“Let us collectively ensure that in 2027, the ballot defeats the bullet, ideas defeat intimidation, and democracy defeats violence,” he said.

He also urged Nigerians to mobilise for peace, responsible leadership and a credible electoral process ahead of the general elections.