The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has declared that its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is prepared to campaign across all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2027 general election.

The council made the declaration while criticising President Bola Tinubu over reports that he would not campaign across all states, describing the alleged position as an act of arrogance and disrespect to Nigerians.

Director of Media and Publicity of the ADC-PCC, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated the council’s position while receiving a delegation of youths under the aegis of Young Voters for Atiku (YVA).

Ologbondiyan argued that a president seeking re-election should be willing to meet voters, account for his administration’s performance and explain his plans for another term.

He said Atiku was ready to travel across the country to engage Nigerians and present his proposals for addressing the nation’s economic and security challenges.

“What President Tinubu has done is a clear act of contempt against the Nigerian people. The APC is known for its contempt for Nigerians. How can a man who wants to be re-elected as president, after failing woefully, say he does not want to visit the people he seeks to govern? It is an aberration of norm,” Ologbondiyan said.

The ADC-PCC spokesman also dismissed suggestions that official responsibilities could prevent Tinubu from campaigning nationwide, noting that previous Nigerian presidents had combined their official duties with electioneering activities.

He cited former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as former United States presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as examples of political figures who campaigned while seeking to retain or attain political office.

“Saying that he (Tinubu) will be attending to official assignments is untrue, fake, deceitful and insincere. Didn’t former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari attend to official duties while campaigning for their return tickets? Didn’t Donald Trump campaign? Didn’t Kamala Harris campaign? Why is Tinubu’s case different?” he queried.

Ologbondiyan further maintained that the reported position could create an opportunity for the ADC to reach more voters across the country, adding that Atiku was prepared to engage Nigerians throughout the campaign period.

He questioned Tinubu’s decision to seek another term, arguing that a president seeking re-election should be willing to defend his administration’s record before the electorate.

“President Tinubu has taken Nigerians for a joke and should not seek re-election. A president who is afraid to face his own people has no business asking for their votes,” he declared.

The ADC-PCC director also alleged that dissatisfaction over hunger, poverty, insecurity and economic hardship could explain the reported reluctance to campaign nationwide. However, he did not establish evidence for the claim about the president’s motives.

“He knows Nigerians are hungry and angry. He knows that the average Nigerian finds it difficult to eat and to be secure. He has failed on all fronts, so he is afraid to face Nigerians. He is running away from the reality he created,” Ologbondiyan asserted.

The council urged young Nigerians and other voters to reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general election, arguing that another term for the party would prolong the difficulties facing many citizens.

Ologbondiyan said an Atiku-led administration would prioritise economic recovery, wealth creation, national security and improved living standards.

He also promised that Atiku would restore fuel subsidy to reduce the cost of petroleum products, tackle hunger, improve security and rebuild the economy.

“Atiku Abubakar will bring back subsidy to reduce cost of petroleum products, create wealth, end hunger in our land, secure our nation and restore our battered economy. He has the experience, the capacity and the compassion to rescue Nigeria. He is fit, ready and prepared to lead Nigeria out of this present predicament,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC has outlined a proposed nationwide campaign schedule ahead of the 2027 general election, with rallies expected to cover the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the proposed itinerary, the campaign is scheduled to begin in Kaduna on October 24, 2026, and conclude with a grand rally in Lagos on January 9, 2027.

The proposed schedule identifies 12 strategic locations across the six geopolitical zones where Tinubu is expected to participate in presidential campaign activities.

The locations include Kaduna, Kano and Sokoto in the North-West; Bauchi and Gombe in the North-East; Benue and Kogi in the North-Central; Enugu and Anambra in the South-East; Delta and Rivers in the South-South; and Lagos in the South-West.

The proposed itinerary indicates that the ruling party intends to maintain a nationwide campaign presence ahead of the election, as opposition parties prepare to present their candidates and policy proposals to voters.