Why APC, ADC, PDP Delayed Presidential Campaign Council Inaugurations

Major political parties preparing for the 2027 general elections have yet to formally inaugurate their presidential campaign councils, despite the commencement of the campaign period under the 2026 Electoral Act.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opened the window for presidential and National Assembly campaigns on August 19, but nearly three weeks later, parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) are yet to fully activate their campaign structures.

The APC announced its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on August 22, with President Bola Tinubu as chairman. Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was named Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, was appointed secretary.

However, the party has not held a formal inauguration of the council.

The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, said the absence of a formal ceremony has not stopped the party from campaigning. According to him, several members of the proposed campaign council and other party leaders have already begun mobilising support for Tinubu ahead of the election.

Bashiru pointed to recent political activities in Kano, Rivers and Zamfara as evidence that the party’s campaign machinery is already active. He said the formal inauguration would take place when the party considers the timing appropriate.

The ADC is also yet to unveil its campaign council. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said consultations were still taking place within the party before the council and inauguration date would be announced.

The party said it was not working under a specific deadline for the inauguration and would make the announcement once the necessary arrangements had been completed.

The delay comes as the ADC continues to reorganise its political structure and expand its membership ahead of the 2027 elections. Its campaign council is expected to coordinate nationwide mobilisation, communication and election strategy once inaugurated.

For the Accord Party, the situation is linked to uncertainty over its presidential candidate. The party’s leadership is yet to settle its position on who will represent it in the 2027 presidential election amid an ongoing disagreement involving the party and Dr Gbenga Olawepo Hashim.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, said the National Working Committee would determine the next step after an extraordinary meeting. The party is expected to communicate its decision on its presidential candidate and its campaign plans after the meeting.

The PDP has also not announced a formal presidential campaign council or detailed campaign programme. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the PDP would determine its own timetable rather than act based on the activities of other parties.

The party’s position comes amid internal uncertainty over its presidential campaign strategy. The situation has been further complicated by the decision of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, a prominent PDP figure, to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid.

There is also uncertainty surrounding the future of the PDP’s presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Ojang Onor, with reports that the party’s leadership is awaiting further direction before making key decisions about its presidential campaign.

One party source suggested that the PDP could eventually adopt a strategy that would reduce its focus on the presidential contest while concentrating on governorship and National Assembly elections. However, the party has not officially confirmed such a plan.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM), on the other hand, has moved ahead with its campaign arrangements. The party is scheduled to inaugurate its presidential campaign office in Abuja, with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and his running mate, Lawan Daura, set to lead the party’s presidential campaign.

The party said the Makinde/Daura campaign office would serve as its national coordination centre. Its campaign is expected to focus on policy proposals, governance performance and issues affecting Nigerians.

The APM also plans to release a policy document outlining its proposed solutions to the country’s major challenges. The party said Makinde had already been consulting political leaders, stakeholders and communities across the country as part of preparations for the election.

The Labour Party is similarly yet to formally inaugurate its presidential campaign council, although preparations are reportedly underway for the announcement of its campaign structure.

With campaigns already permitted under the electoral timetable, the differing approaches of the parties show that the delay in inaugurating campaign councils does not necessarily mean that political mobilisation has stopped. While the APC has opted to begin activities before a formal inauguration, the ADC and LP are still completing their structures, while the PDP and Accord face wider political decisions that could shape their presidential campaigns.