Post by Adedayo Oduwobi (@stopit)

“IF YOU ARE TOO TIRED TO CAMPAIGN, YOU ARE TOO WEAK TO GOVERN.”

That is the kind of argument being raised in Nigeria’s political conversation, including by opposition figures challenging President Tinubu’s decision not to attend every campaign rally.

But let us go beyond the slogan and examine the substance.

Nigeria is not an easy country to govern. It is a vast, diverse and complicated federation of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with different ethnic groups, religious communities, economic realities and security challenges.

The country is also under enormous social and economic pressure.

For millions of Nigerians, the national economic debate is not an abstract discussion about macroeconomic indicators. It is about whether their income can buy food, whether they can afford rent, whether their children can attend school, whether electricity is available, whether they can travel safely and whether a hospital will treat them without pushing the family into deeper financial distress.

THIS IS THE NIGERIA A PRESIDENT MUST GOVERN—not merely the Nigeria described in official speeches.

Leadership requires stamina, certainly. But stamina is not measured only by how many rallies a president attends. It is also measured by the ability to make difficult decisions, listen to criticism, respond to emergencies, explain policies and remain accountable when public opinion becomes uncomfortable.

So the question is not simply whether Tinubu can travel from state to state.

The deeper question is whether his administration has demonstrated the urgency, empathy and responsiveness required by a country facing such formidable challenges.

When citizens raise concerns about hunger, insecurity, rising living costs or failing public services, they should not have to fight through layers of political spokespersons before receiving a meaningful response.

When a community wants to know what the federal government will do about its problems, it deserves more than another slogan.

And when a president seeks re-election, he should be prepared to explain what has changed since he last asked for their votes.

A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE A PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY EXERCISE, NOT JUST A MOBILISATION MACHINE.

If the President’s argument is that governance must continue during the campaign, then Nigerians should ask an even more uncomfortable question: what specific improvements will they see because he chose to remain focused on governance?

Will the decision produce better security? More reliable electricity? Lower living costs? Better public services? A more responsive government?

If the answer is yes, let the administration present measurable evidence.

If the answer is no, then the public has every right to question whether the explanation is sufficient.

We must also avoid pretending that physical presence alone guarantees good leadership. A president can visit every state and still fail the people. Equally, a president may not attend every rally and still be held accountable through credible public engagement.

THE REAL TEST IS PERFORMANCE, ACCESSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY—not campaign mileage alone.

Tinubu has said he will still address Nigerians directly. The important question now is whether that promise will translate into meaningful engagement, difficult questions and clear answers.

Because Nigeria is too distressed for public relations to substitute for public service.

PART 3: Can a campaign team answer for the president—or is the electorate being asked to accept politics by proxy?

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