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| Obi and Tinubu |
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly suggested that the demands of governance may keep him away from the campaign trail. But Nigerians are entitled to ask a simple question: if he cannot make time to face the electorate, why should surrogates be sent to seek their votes?
This is the position of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr. The group insists that the President cannot delegate accountability or outsource the defence of his record to political allies, party chieftains, and praise singers while millions of Nigerians continue to bear the burden of his administration’s policies.
POMR argues that surrogates may speak for the President, but they cannot answer for his failures. They may repeat his promises, but they cannot turn those promises into results. They may campaign in his name, but they cannot carry his responsibility.
The statement further challenges the administration: if it has truly delivered on its promises, why should the President be reluctant to defend that record before Nigerians himself? If the economy is improving, he should explain how that improvement is reflected in the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and other daily necessities. If his policies are working, he should face the citizens who want to know when the hardship will end.
POMR maintains that a President seeking another mandate must present himself directly to the people. The office belongs to Nigerians, the mandate belongs to Nigerians, and accountability must be rendered directly to Nigerians, not through proxies, ministers, party officials, or media aides.
“Mr President, governance is not an excuse to avoid accountability. In a democracy, governance is the very record a candidate must defend before asking for another mandate,” POMR reminded the president.
It added, “Nigerians are not being asked to elect your surrogates. They are being asked to assess you, your policies, your promises, and your performance. No surrogate can stand in your place when it is time to answer for the state of the nation.
“You cannot send surrogates to collect the votes while keeping the President away from the questions. You cannot delegate the campaign and expect Nigerians to forget who must answer for the record.
“The Nigerian people deserve a direct conversation with their President, not a relay of rehearsed talking points from political messengers.
“If there is a record to defend, let the President defend it. If there are promises yet to be fulfilled, let him explain them. And if Nigerians are being asked to renew his mandate, let him have the courage to face their questions.
“A President who seeks the people’s mandate must be prepared to face the people. Surrogates may carry the message, but they cannot carry the burden of accountability.”
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