President Bola Tinubu has attracted criticism on social media after referring to himself as a governor rather than as president during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council in Abuja on Wednesday.
Drivetvnews gathered that the event was held at the State House Conference Centre, where Tinubu spoke about the party’s preparations for his re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While addressing party leaders and members, the President appeared to mistakenly describe himself as a governor while referring to his bid for a second term.
He said, “Distinguished leaders of our party, all the party members, presidential campaign council, I’ve seen my friend here that I must thank. And next will be the recognition of the director-general of the presidential campaign council that will bring Governor Bola Tinubu back for a second time.”
The remark triggered reactions online, with several social media users questioning the statement and criticising the President’s leadership. Some commenters also made unverified claims about his health, while others suggested the incident was similar to events during the 2023 election campaign.
One user, @ade_397, expressed frustration over the prospect of another four-year term, citing economic hardship and a lack of money in circulation.
Another user, @Goldman45274355, argued that similar reactions had followed Tinubu’s conduct during the 2023 election period, claiming that concerns raised at the time had not prevented him from remaining in office.
Meanwhile, @urbanspi suggested that the President was more familiar with his time as Lagos State governor than with subsequent developments in his political career.
Other commenters criticised the speech for what they described as errors and incoherence. Some also compared Tinubu’s address with public appearances by opposition figures.
User @danTiana alleged that the President was suffering from dementia, while @dizneyx questioned whether he was fully aware of his current position. These were social media users’ claims and do not establish any medical diagnosis.
Some users also criticised APC members who applauded during the speech, while others accused the party of seeking to secure Tinubu’s return to office despite the controversy.
The incident has added to online discussions about Tinubu’s public appearances as political parties prepare for the 2027 general election.
