morganABLE politics/elections
The APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, will also serve as vice chairman of the council, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed secretary, further reinforcing the party’s leadership structure with key political figures across regions
KaNo—
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence in securing victory in the 2027 presidential election, urging members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work collectively to ensure the party’s success as he unveiled a comprehensive campaign structure ahead of the polls.
Tinubu made this known in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announcing the constitution of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the January 2027 election.
According to the statement, the President will serve as chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima has been appointed vice chairman.
Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, was named Director-General of the campaign, a position expected to play a central role in coordinating the party’s nationwide electoral strategy.
The APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, will also serve as vice chairman of the council, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed secretary, further reinforcing the party’s leadership structure with key political figures across regions.
Onanuga disclosed that the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman would serve as deputy secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.
Ajibola Bashiru And Hadiza Bala To Serve As Deputy Secretary
In a move to strengthen coordination across geopolitical zones, Tinubu appointed Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni as deputy directors-general for the campaign in the South and North.
Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was named deputy director-general in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will oversee administration as deputy director-general.
The statement further revealed that James Abiodun Faleke, who played a prominent role in the party’s 2023 campaign, has returned as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring.
He will collaborate with zonal directors, including Senator Olusola Adeyeye for the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme for the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife for the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe for the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso for the North-Central and Senator Sani Danladi for the North-East.
Supporting the election planning directorate are Okotete, Abdullahi Ramat and Audu Maikori, who will serve as secretaries.
On the legal front, Muiz Banire was appointed director of the legal directorate, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies.
Other members of the legal team include the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Udeh.
Minister Of Information To Head Media Committee
For media and communication, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will serve as Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication.
He will work alongside prominent figures such as Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu to drive the party’s messaging.
The media directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka as coordinating deputy directors, while Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufo will serve as coordinating secretaries.
Additionally, five spokespersons were appointed to communicate the party’s positions, led by Dele Alake, with Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda serving alongside him.
Tinubu, in the statement, encouraged leaders of various directorates to reach out to party members who may not have been formally included in the campaign council, urging inclusiveness and unity as the party prepares for the election.
“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians,” the President said.
“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet. Let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,” he added.
However, the unveiling of the campaign council has drawn criticism from opposition figures, who questioned both its timing and composition.
Atiku Accuse Atiku Of Diverting Public Attention
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, described the move as a deliberate attempt to divert public attention from ongoing debates around fuel subsidy policies and broader economic challenges.
“The Tinubu campaign council is deflective; it is meant to divert attention from the larger issue of subsidy. This is not the first time Tinubu’s team will do this. They are very good at deflection,” Ibe said.
“They just want the campaign council to become the talking point and run away from the subsidy debate,” he added.
When asked about the timeline for unveiling Atiku’s own campaign structure, Ibe noted that preparations were ongoing but emphasised that policy direction remained the priority.
“The campaign team is being worked out. But what is more important is the policy. It is above the campaign council. The council will come very soon, but the priority is on the policy, that is what will give us direction,” he said.
Similarly, the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) criticised the composition of Tinubu’s campaign team, describing it as a gathering of loyalists lacking the credibility needed to secure electoral victory.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the party questioned the public goodwill of several members of the council, particularly the Director-General, Abdulaziz Yari, citing concerns over his record during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
The APM also accused some members of the campaign structure of political inconsistency and alleged that others were seeking protection from corruption allegations.
According to the party, the composition of the council reinforces its belief that the APC may struggle in the 2027 election due to what it described as the administration’s poor performance.
The party further referenced the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election as a warning sign for the ruling party, urging Nigerians to consider alternative leadership.
It positioned its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, as a credible alternative, promising a governance approach rooted in transparency, inclusive development and prudent management of resources.
“Our candidate is armed with a blueprint for a new and transparent approach to governance that puts Nigerians first, prioritising inclusive human development and wellbeing through people-oriented policies and prudent management of resources,” the statement read.
As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, analysts say the formation of campaign structures by major parties signals the beginning of a highly competitive race that will likely shape Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory in the coming years.
