Peter Obi Media Office (POMR) has said that President Bola Tinubu cannot outsource the defence of his record to surrogates, while Nigerians face the cost of his government’s policies.
A blistering statement from POMR has turned reported remarks by President Bola Tinubu into a national accountability row.
According to the statement, signed by POMR spokesman Idris Zekeri Jnr, the President has reportedly said the demands of governance may keep him away from the campaign trail. POMR’s response is blunt: if he cannot make time to face the electorate, why should surrogates be sent to ask for their votes?
“The President cannot delegate accountability,” the statement said. “He cannot outsource the defence of his record to political allies, party chieftains and praise singers while millions of Nigerians struggle with the consequences of his government’s policies.”
The group argued that stand-ins can repeat the President’s lines but cannot carry his responsibility. “Surrogates can speak for the President, but they cannot answer for his failures. They can repeat his promises, but they cannot make those promises a reality. They can campaign in his name, but they cannot carry his responsibility.”
POMR then posed a series of direct questions: If the administration has delivered on its promises, why is the President reluctant to defend that record himself? If the economy is improving, where is the evidence in the cost of food, transport, and electricity, housing and everyday necessities? If his policies are working, why not face citizens who want to know when the hardship will end?
“Mr President, governance is not an excuse to avoid accountability,” the statement continued. “In a democracy, governance is the very record a candidate must defend before asking for another mandate.”
The group insisted Nigerians are not being asked to elect surrogates. They are being asked to assess the President, his policies, his promises, and his performance.
“No surrogate can stand in your place when it is time to answer for the state of the nation,” it said.
POMR warned that a campaign by proxy cannot replace a direct conversation.
“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.”
It added: “The Nigerian people deserve a direct conversation with their President, not a relay of rehearsed talking points from political messengers.”
Closing the statement, POMR said: “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.”
It ended with a line likely to be shared widely: “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.”
