Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Femi Otubanjo, has attributed President Bola Tinubu’s reported decision to limit his campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections to the physical challenges associated with old age.
Otubanjo argued that Tinubu’s explanation that he intends to prioritise governance rather than travel across Nigeria’s 36 states to campaign is not convincing.
Naija News reports that the professor’s comments come amid discussions about the president’s re-election strategy and whether he needs to visit every state to canvass for votes ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Arise Morning Show on Thursday, Otubanjo said it would be understandable if the president’s physical strength affected his ability to undertake extensive campaign activities across the country.
According to him, age-related physical limitations could influence the president’s capacity to participate in a demanding nationwide campaign.
“Let’s not deceive ourselves. I’m not happy about the reason the President gave: ‘I want to face the business of state duties’. That’s not convincing. Everybody knows that,” Otubanjo said.
He added: “What’s wrong with if the president is not sufficiently strong to go to everywhere?
“He has the problem of old age. Everybody loses some strength in old age. And then you have what you call the weaknesses of illnesses.”
Otubanjo Questions Tinubu’s Campaign Strategy
The NIIA research professor maintained that the explanation centred on focusing on governance does not fully address questions surrounding the president’s proposed campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the demands of a nationwide presidential campaign, which typically involves extensive travel, rallies and engagements with voters across different parts of the country.
However, Otubanjo’s remarks represent his assessment of the president’s campaign plans and physical capacity. They do not independently establish the medical reasons behind any decision to limit campaign appearances.
Professor References Tinubu’s Reported Knee Surgery
During his comments, Otubanjo also referred to reports that Tinubu underwent knee surgery several years ago.
He did not provide further details about the reported procedure or establish a direct medical link between it and the president’s current campaign plans.
As political discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential election continue, questions remain about how Tinubu and other prospective candidates will organise their campaigns while balancing political engagements with other responsibilities.
Tinubu’s campaign strategy, including the extent of his proposed nationwide visits, is likely to remain a subject of public discussion as preparations for the next general elections develop.
