Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar will campaign in all 36 states of the federation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Shaibu’s statement contrasts with President Bola Tinubu’s decision to limit his personal participation in the All Progressives Congress campaign rallies to 12 states, citing the need to balance electioneering with governance.
He stated this during an interview on ARISE News on Sunday, dismissing concerns that Atiku’s campaign might focus mainly on northern Nigeria.
He said the campaign schedule would be released soon, adding that no state would be excluded from the former vice-president’s engagements with voters.
“We are going to release our schedule in a few days. Or in a few hours. And you will see for yourself. You will be able to interrogate for yourself. That look, Atiku Abubakar, no state will be left out,” he said.
Shaibu explained that the campaign would extend beyond rallies in state capitals to include town hall meetings, community engagements and visits to local government areas and villages.
“We are not going to limit our campaign to just state capital or to just rallies. Atiku is already connected with the people. The people are hungry. People are dying. Do you understand? He needs to connect with them. He needs to listen to them,” he said.
He added that the campaign would provide opportunities for Atiku to interact directly with Nigerians and hear their concerns.
According to Shaibu, economic hardship is a nationwide problem that could shape voters’ decisions, regardless of their geographical location.
“As for the pathway, I’ll tell you. Our pathway is clear and simple. The man who is hungry in Zamfara is the same as the man who is hungry in Lagos. Forget the noise,” he said.
Atiku’s appeal not North bound
Shaibu maintained that Atiku’s appeal was not restricted to the North, predicting that Nigerians facing economic difficulties would support the former vice-president.
“Hungry Nigerians will vote for Atiku Abubakar. Atiku’s pathway is not limited to Northern Nigeria. Atiku’s pathway is across the length and breadth of Nigeria,” he said.
Asked which southern states Atiku expected to win, Shaibu expressed confidence in the candidate’s nationwide prospects.
“I will not just be bold, I will be audacious about it. Atiku will win the entire country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tinubu, while inaugurating the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja on October 14, said he would not accompany the campaign team to every state, stressing that the country still required his attention.
“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,” the President said.
He also cited the country’s financial obligations and the need to attract investors as reasons for limiting his participation in campaign activities.
“So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait,” he said.
According to a campaign timetable reported by PUNCH, Tinubu was scheduled to attend rallies in 12 states, beginning with Kaduna on October 24 and ending with Lagos on January 9, 2027.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature campaigns by political parties across the country as candidates seek to mobilise voters ahead of the poll.