By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Peter Obi Media Roundtable (POMR) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to personally defend his administration’s record before Nigerians rather than rely on political allies to campaign for his re-election, insisting that governance and accountability cannot be delegated.

In a statement dated October 15, 2026, and signed electronically by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the group questioned reports that the demands of governance might keep Tinubu away from the campaign trail, arguing that Nigerians deserved direct answers from the President before deciding whether to renew his mandate.

“President Bola Tinubu reportedly says the demands of governance may keep him away from the campaign trail. Nigerians deserve to ask: If he cannot make time to face the electorate, why should surrogates be sent to ask for their votes?” the statement said.

POMR maintained that the President could not transfer responsibility for his administration’s performance to party leaders and political allies while citizens continued to grapple with economic hardship.

“The President cannot delegate accountability. 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 stated.

It argued that political surrogates could communicate the President’s message but could not answer for his performance or turn unfulfilled promises into tangible results.

“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 said.

The group also challenged Tinubu to explain how his administration’s policies had affected the daily lives of Nigerians, particularly amid concerns over the cost of living.

“If the economy is improving, let him explain how that improvement is reflected in the cost of food, transportation, electricity, housing, and necessities. If his policies are working, let him face the citizens who want to know when the hardship will end,” the statement added.

POMR said governance should not be used as a reason to avoid public scrutiny, stressing that a candidate seeking another mandate must be prepared to defend his record before the electorate.

“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,” it stated.

The group further argued that Nigerians were being asked to assess Tinubu’s policies, promises and performance, rather than those of the political figures campaigning on his behalf.

“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,” POMR said.

It insisted that citizens deserved a direct conversation with the President instead of relying on messages delivered by political representatives.

“The Nigerian people deserve a direct conversation with their President, not a relay of rehearsed talking points from political messengers,” the statement said.

POMR urged Tinubu to personally explain his administration’s achievements, address promises yet to be fulfilled and respond to questions from Nigerians if he intended to seek another mandate.

“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,” the group concluded.