On Thursday in Abuja, Professor Pat Utomi of the [Nigeria Democratic Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria_Democratic_Congress) called on [President Bola Tinubu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bola_Tinubu) to travel to every one of Nigeria's 36 state capitals and selected rural towns to shake hands with citizens, insisting that a genuine campaign must involve direct, face‑to‑face interaction rather than restricting visits to a limited number of states.
**What did Utomi say?**
Utomi warned that a leader who refuses to stand beside opponents and discuss policies is being dishonest to the electorate. He quoted, “If you cannot stand side by side with somebody contesting for the same position and engage in policy discussion, then you are being totally dishonest to the people you are offering to serve.”
**How many states does Tinubu plan to visit?**
According to reports from DAILY POST, during the inauguration of the [All Progressives Congress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Progressives_Congress_(Nigeria)) campaign council, Tinubu announced he would limit his campaign trips to only 12 states, delegating the remaining visits to governors and council members.
**Why is the challenge significant?**
Opposition figures argue that Tinubu’s reduced itinerary reflects either a lack of fitness to face voters or an attempt to avoid public anger over the ongoing economic crisis, which they claim has pushed living standards to their lowest point in recent memory.
The debate underscores broader concerns about democratic engagement and the expectations of Nigerian voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.