Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly demanded the withdrawal and review of the initial list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.
The move followed concerns within the ruling party over the composition of the council, particularly the omission of several senior APC key figures and experienced campaign strategists.
According to reports, senior party members expressed reservations that the initial list did not adequately reflect the party’s leadership structure, geographical spread and the interests of strategic political stakeholders.
Sources said Tinubu subsequently directed the Presidency, National Assembly leadership and the APC National Working Committee to review the list and correct the identified gaps before a new version is released.
One source quoted the President as being surprised that several experienced party members had limited input in the final composition of the campaign council.
The initial list, which named former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General, reportedly generated controversy over the exclusion of prominent APC members. Among those omitted was Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu. The initial structure had listed Senate President Godswill Akpabio as Deputy Director-General for the Southern campaign, alongside House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau were also assigned coordinating responsibilities.
Some party stakeholders reportedly questioned the arrangement, arguing that the campaign hierarchy should properly reflect the constitutional ranking of National Assembly leaders.
Another prominent omission was Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, who played a major role as a spokesman and Director of Public Affairs during the APC’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, was also absent from the initial list.
Other notable figures reportedly left out include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, former Ogun State Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, and former Edo State governorship candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The omission of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has also reportedly raised concerns, given his role in the APC’s mobilisation efforts in the South-South region.
The revised list is expected to address the concerns raised by party stakeholders and produce a campaign structure that accommodates key APC leaders ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
