Femi Otubanjo says Tinubu’s age may explain his limited 2027 campaign plans, questioning the President’s stated reason for avoiding nationwide rallies
Research Professor at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Femi Otubanjo, has attributed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to limit his campaign activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election to the challenges associated with ageing.
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Otubanjo made the remarks while speaking on Arise Morning Show on Thursday, October 22, 2026, amid debate over whether Tinubu should embark on extensive nationwide campaigns ahead of the election.
The professor said he was not convinced by the explanation attributed to Tinubu that the President intended to focus more on governance rather than spend significant time campaigning across Nigeria’s 36 states.
“Let’s not deceive ourselves. I’m not happy about the reason the President gave: ‘I want to face the business of state duties’. That’s not convincing,” Otubanjo said.
He argued that there would be nothing unusual if Tinubu did not have the physical strength required for an extensive campaign schedule, given his age.
“What’s wrong with if the president is not sufficiently strong to go to everywhere?” he asked.
“He has the problem of old age. Everybody loses some strength in old age. And then you have what you call the weaknesses of illnesses,” he added.
Otubanjo also referred to reports concerning a knee surgery Tinubu underwent several years ago, although he did not provide further details about the reported procedure or its current effect on the President.
The professor’s comments come as political parties and presidential aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, has been at the centre of discussions about how his re-election campaign will be structured.
The debate has particularly focused on whether an incumbent president needs to personally visit every state during an election campaign or can rely on party structures and campaign officials to mobilise support across the country.
While Otubanjo questioned the President’s stated reason for limiting his campaign schedule, his comments were framed around Tinubu’s physical capacity rather than a formal statement from the Presidency confirming that age or health was the reason for the decision.
Tinubu’s campaign strategy is expected to become clearer as the 2027 election approaches, with the APC preparing its structures and opposition parties working to consolidate their own political alliances and support bases.
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The discussion is likely to remain part of the wider political debate as parties balance the demands of nationwide mobilisation with the responsibilities of an incumbent president.
