Breaking: Tinubu Orders Withdrawal 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council List
By Aliyu Oyewole
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly ordered the withdrawal and reconstitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections following controversy over the initial list released by the Presidency.
According to a report by TheWill, the President’s directive followed concerns raised by senior APC stakeholders that the composition of the council did not adequately reflect the party’s hierarchy, geographical spread and political structure.
Sources cited in the report said Tinubu directed the Presidency, the National Assembly leadership and the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to withdraw and review the list before a revised composition is released.
The development reportedly followed concerns that several influential party members and political actors with significant experience in campaign management were left out of the initial structure.
A source was quoted as saying the President was “shocked and surprised” by the limited input from key and experienced party members in the final composition.
The initial list, which named former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General, reportedly generated questions over the omission or positioning of several senior APC figures.
Among those whose absence sparked concern was Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The initial arrangement reportedly named 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 roles.
Party stakeholders reportedly questioned whether the arrangement adequately reflected the constitutional and political hierarchy of the National Assembly, particularly regarding the position of the Senate President.
Also absent from the initial list was Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who played a prominent role as spokesman and Director of Public Affairs during the APC’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Other notable figures reportedly missing from the initial council include former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in 2023; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who handled stakeholder relations; and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who served as National Youth Coordinator.
Former Ogun State Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as former Edo State governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, were also reportedly omitted.
The absence of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has equally raised concerns, given his role in the APC’s mobilisation efforts in the South-South.
Despite the reported review, there was no indication that Tinubu had withdrawn the appointment of Yari as Director-General of the campaign council.
The revised structure is expected to address the concerns raised by party stakeholders and produce a broader campaign framework ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
