The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, over his comments on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reported decision to excuse himself from some activities on the 2027 presidential campaign itinerary.
The Lagos APC spokesman, Hon. Seye Oladejo, described Adebayo’s criticism as a “manufactured controversy,” urging the SDP candidate to focus instead on his political experience, organisational capacity and the structure of his party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Oladejo, in a statement issued on Thursday, said President Tinubu did not need to attend every campaign event to demonstrate his political strength, arguing that his record in office, political experience and nationwide reach remained sufficient evidence of his capacity.
According to him, Tinubu’s approach to the campaign reflects confidence in the APC’s political machinery and its pool of experienced leaders capable of handling campaign responsibilities.
He said the APC possessed a nationwide network of political strategists, party administrators, elected representatives and grassroots leaders, describing the structure as a major advantage ahead of the 2027 election.
“Rather than recognise this as evidence of organisational maturity, Prince Adebayo has chosen to portray it as a weakness. That interpretation says more about the opposition’s understanding of leadership and political organisation than it does about President Tinubu,” Oladejo said.
The APC spokesman challenged Adebayo to explain his own record of public service and the political structures available to support his presidential ambition.
He argued that aspiring to lead Nigeria required more than public appearances and criticism of the incumbent, stressing that presidential leadership demanded experience in governance, public administration, national security, economic management and consensus building.
Oladejo also questioned the SDP’s national electoral reach and its capacity to mobilise voters across the country.
“Elections are not won by the frequency of a candidate’s public appearances alone. They are won through political organisation, national reach, credible policy direction, effective mobilisation and the confidence voters place in a candidate’s capacity to deliver,” he said.
He further defended Tinubu’s decision to balance campaign responsibilities with the demands of governance, noting that the President still had responsibilities relating to the economy, national security, infrastructure, foreign relations and implementation of government policies.
According to him, governance should not be expected to stop simply because an election is approaching.
Oladejo said the APC would engage Nigerians, communicate the administration’s achievements and present its plans for the future, but insisted that the President’s attendance at every campaign event should not be regarded as a measure of his political commitment.
He challenged the SDP to present Nigerians with a clear alternative, including how it would finance its promises and address the country’s economic, security and developmental challenges.
The Lagos APC spokesman maintained that the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by leadership, experience, credibility, political organisation and competing visions for Nigeria, rather than the number of campaign events attended by individual candidates.
He advised Adebayo to devote more attention to strengthening his party’s political structure and demonstrating his readiness for national leadership.
“The APC will campaign when, where and how it considers appropriate. President Tinubu has capable hands to whom he can confidently delegate responsibilities, and a party machinery equipped to mobilise across the country,” Oladejo said.
He added that the APC was prepared to defend its record and seek a renewed mandate from Nigerians in 2027.
“2027 is about Nigeria’s future, not the opposition’s fixation with President Tinubu,” he said.
Oladejo signed the statement as Lagos APC spokesman on October 15, 2026.
