Tinubu Orders Review of APC Campaign Council List

President Bola Tinubu has directed the review and reorganisation of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections following concerns over the composition of the team initially announced by the Presidency.

The decision came after complaints from senior members of the ruling party over the exclusion of several political leaders, experienced campaigners and key stakeholders from the first list.

Party members also raised concerns about the spread of positions across the different regions, the representation of the National Assembly and the roles given to some senior figures within the APC.

Sources familiar with the development said Tinubu had instructed his Chief of Staff and other officials in the Presidency to work with the National Assembly leadership and the APC National Working Committee on a fresh review of the campaign structure.

The exercise is expected to identify areas where the initial arrangement may have left gaps and produce a broader team that accommodates more party leaders and influential political figures ahead of the presidential election.

The controversy followed the release of a 223-member campaign council by the Presidency, with former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, appointed as Director-General.

The exclusion of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was among the issues that attracted attention within the party.

Kalu is the highest-ranking political office holder from the South-East and his absence from the initial council raised concerns among party stakeholders about the region’s place in the campaign structure.

There were also questions about the positions allocated to some senior members of the National Assembly.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio was named Deputy Director-General for the Southern campaign, while House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were assigned senior responsibilities.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau were also given coordinating roles in the council.

Some APC members reportedly questioned whether the arrangement adequately reflected the political standing and institutional responsibilities of the National Assembly leadership.

The planned review is expected to reconsider the roles of the various leaders and create a structure that better accommodates senior party and government figures.

The first list also left out several politicians who played major roles in the APC’s 2023 presidential campaign.

Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign council in the 2023 election, was not included in the initial team.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, was also absent from the list.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who was involved in political and stakeholder engagement during the previous presidential campaign, was another notable omission.

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who served as the National Youth Coordinator during the 2023 campaign, was also left out.

Other prominent APC figures not listed include former Ogun State Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as former Edo State governorship candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The omission of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also became a point of concern among some party stakeholders.

Okpebholo is considered an important APC figure in the South-South and is expected to contribute to the party’s mobilisation efforts as the 2027 election approaches.

The review is expected to consider the roles of governors, National Assembly members, former office holders, party leaders and other political actors with influence across the country.

The concerns within the party are centred on the view that the first structure did not fully capture the APC’s broad political network and the different interests that would be required for a nationwide campaign.

The reorganisation is therefore expected to expand the council and bring in more political leaders and experienced campaigners from different parts of the country.

Party sources said the revised structure would seek to provide broader regional representation while also giving appropriate roles to key figures who could assist with mobilisation and coordination.

There is, however, no indication that Yari’s appointment as Director-General has been withdrawn.

The former Zamfara governor remains the expected head of the campaign council, with the review focused mainly on the composition and distribution of responsibilities within the team.

Tinubu is expected to use the reconstituted council as the main political structure for his campaign for a second term in office.

The campaign will be tasked with taking the administration’s policies and achievements to voters, explaining its economic reforms and building support for the APC across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The changes also come at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 elections are gradually increasing, making the structure and strength of the ruling party’s campaign organisation an important part of its preparations.