The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to personally defend his record ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning that Nigerians will not accept political surrogates in place of accountability.
The group’s reaction followed reports that the demands of governance could keep the President off the campaign trail.
In a statement on Thursday, POMR spokesman Idris Zekeri Jnr argued that Tinubu cannot delegate the defence of his policies and still expect Nigerians to renew his mandate. “You cannot govern by proxy, campaign through surrogates, and expect votes from Nigerians,” the group said.
While party chieftains and allies may campaign for the President, POMR said, they cannot answer for the consequences of his decisions. “Surrogates can speak for the President, but they cannot answer for his failures,” the statement said. “They can repeat his promises, but they cannot make those promises a reality.”
The group then turned to the economy, urging Tinubu to explain how his policies have improved life for Nigerians struggling with the cost of food, transport, electricity and housing. “If the economy is improving, let him explain how that improvement is reflected in the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and necessities,” it said.
POMR added that if the administration believes its policies are working, the President should explain their benefits directly to citizens demanding answers about persistent hardship.
It accused the administration of risking a campaign in which allies promote its achievements while the President avoids direct questions about performance. Voters, the group insisted, will judge Tinubu’s own leadership, policies and promises, not those of the people campaigning for him.
“Nigerians are not being asked to elect your surrogates,” the statement said. “They are being asked to assess you, your policies, your promises, and your performance.”
Ultimately, POMR maintained, a president seeking another term must be ready to face voters, however demanding the campaign. “A President who seeks the people’s mandate must be prepared to face the people,” it said. “Surrogates may carry the message, but they cannot carry the burden of accountability.”