The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its campaign schedule ahead of the 2027 presidential election, indicating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be absent from campaign rallies in more than 20 states.

The party's re-election campaign is scheduled to kick off in Kaduna State on October 24, 2026.

According to a copy of the schedule sighted by Daily Trust, Tinubu will be absent from several rallies as the campaign train moves across the country, although he is expected to attend some rallies personally.

The President is scheduled to miss rallies in Cross River on November 2, Gombe on November 3, Nasarawa on November 4 and Ekiti on November 5. He is, however, expected to join the campaign rally in Rivers State on November 7.

Tinubu will also be absent from rallies in Ebonyi on November 9, Jigawa on November 10, Ondo on November 11 and Edo on November 12, before returning to the campaign trail in Plateau State on November 14.

The schedule further indicates that the President will miss rallies in Yobe on November 16, Kebbi on November 17, Akwa Ibom on November 18 and Anambra on November 19.

He is expected to attend the rally in Oyo State on November 21, while campaign events are scheduled to hold in Borno, Enugu and Bauchi states on November 25, 28 and 29, respectively. However, he will be absent from the rally in Benue State on November 30.

The President's campaign tour is expected to continue in December, with rallies scheduled for Sokoto on December 5, Delta on December 12 and Kano on December 17.

His final two scheduled appearances are in Adamawa State on January 4, 2027, and Lagos State on January 9.

Meanwhile, other party leaders are expected to represent the President at rallies in the remaining 12 states scheduled for December.

Overall, the timetable provides for Tinubu to personally attend rallies in 12 states, while other APC leaders and members of the Presidential Campaign Council will cover the remaining states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Tinubu had earlier explained that he would not attend every APC campaign rally, citing the need to balance electioneering activities with governance.

Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the President said there was a country to run, suggesting that his responsibilities as head of government would limit his participation in some campaign activities.

He, however, pledged to make time to address Nigerians directly as party leaders move across states and local government areas to canvass support for his re-election.

The opposition has, however, attributed the President's planned absence from several rallies to concerns about his health. The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) reportedly challenged him to campaign in all states or withdraw from the presidential race.

Similarly, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, one of the leading presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 election, alleged that Tinubu was afraid to face Nigerians because of his performance in office.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku criticised the President's explanation for missing some rallies.

“Tinubu says he may miss campaign rallies because Nigeria needs his attention. Where was that urgency when Nigerians pleaded for relief? He has had three and a half years to govern. In that time, families have been forced to cut meals, postpone medical care and watch their earnings lose value before they get home,” Atiku said.

He added: “Now he wants another mandate. Before asking Nigerians for one, he must face them and account for the first term.”