Tinubu Orders Fresh Review of APC 2027 Campaign Council After Backlash

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a review and reconstitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections following widespread concerns over the composition of the initial 223-member team.

The development followed criticism from party stakeholders who questioned the exclusion of several senior APC figures, experienced campaign operatives and influential political leaders from the campaign structure.

According to sources familiar with the development, Tinubu directed the Presidency, the leadership of the National Assembly and the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to jointly review the list and address perceived gaps, imbalances and concerns before a revised structure is released.

The sources said the President was particularly concerned that some experienced members of the party had limited input in the final composition of the initial council.

One source was quoted as saying Tinubu was “shocked and surprised” by the limited involvement of key and experienced party figures in the final list.

Key APC Figures Left Out

The controversy followed the announcement of the initial campaign council, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, named Director-General.

However, several influential APC members with previous presidential campaign experience were omitted.

Among those reportedly excluded were Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

Lalong served as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 election, while Keyamo was one of the campaign’s prominent spokespersons.

Ribadu also played a key role in the 2023 campaign as Director of Stakeholders Relations.

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who served as National Youth Coordinator during the 2023 campaign, was also absent from the initial list.

Other notable omissions reportedly included former Ogun State Governors, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as former Edo State governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Benjamin Kalu’s Omission Raises Concern

The exclusion of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also generated concerns within the party.

Kalu is regarded as one of the APC’s most prominent political figures in the South-East and the highest-ranking political office holder from the region.

Party stakeholders reportedly questioned whether the initial structure adequately reflected the region’s political importance and the hierarchy of the National Assembly.

Concerns were also raised over the positioning of National Assembly leaders within the campaign structure.

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

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau were assigned coordinating responsibilities.

Some party stakeholders reportedly argued that the structure did not sufficiently reflect the constitutional and political hierarchy of the National Assembly, particularly the position of the Senate President.

Okpebholo’s Exclusion Alarms Edo APC

The omission of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has also emerged as a major concern among APC stakeholders in the state.

Okpebholo has been actively associated with the party’s mobilisation efforts and is regarded as an important figure in the APC’s political strength in the South-South.

His exclusion has raised questions about the extent to which state governors, who are expected to play critical roles in presidential election mobilisation and grassroots coordination, were represented in the initial structure.

Campaign Council to Be Broadened

Sources said the review would focus on producing a campaign structure that better reflects the APC’s political architecture, including its governors, National Assembly leadership, party officials, experienced campaigners and influential stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones.

The objective, according to the sources, is to create a broader and more politically balanced machinery capable of coordinating the President’s re-election campaign.

Despite the planned review, there is no indication that Yari’s appointment as Director-General of the campaign council has been withdrawn.

Yari’s appointment was earlier reported as part of the President’s preparations for the 2027 election.

Tinubu Targets Stronger 2027 Campaign

In his message to members of the initial campaign council, Tinubu charged them to work towards securing victory for the APC while encouraging them to bring other party members into the campaign effort.

The President also urged the campaign team to focus on the achievements of his administration and its economic reforms.

He said the government had delivered on its campaign promises and placed Nigeria on a path towards economic progress.

“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,” Tinubu said.

The latest directive means the initial campaign council is now expected to undergo further political and structural adjustments before the final list is unveiled.

The revised structure is expected to provide wider representation and address concerns among party leaders ahead of the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign.