Key Takeaways
- The Presidency is reviewing the APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list due to 'anomalies' and public outcry.
- Concerns include the inclusion of individuals facing corruption allegations and the omission of experienced party stalwarts.
- Key leadership positions, including Director-General Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Secretary Governor Hope Uzodimma, are expected to remain unchanged.
- Opposition figures like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Dino Melaye have strongly criticized the list, citing conflicts of interest and a lack of 'new direction.'
- The review aims to fine-tune the list to ensure a more credible and effective campaign structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Presidency has been compelled to undertake a significant review of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list, following a torrent of criticism and the identification of several 'anomalies' deemed capable of embarrassing the party's future electoral efforts. The initial list, made public last Saturday, immediately drew sharp reactions from both within and outside the ruling party, highlighting what many perceived as questionable inclusions and glaring omissions.
Controversy Erupts Over Initial List
The composition of the campaign council, which is to be chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as Vice Chairmen I and II respectively, quickly became a focal point of contention. Senator Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State, was named Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed Secretary. However, sources within the APC and the Presidency confirmed to Daily Trust that the leadership moved swiftly to address the flaws.
Among the most contentious issues were the inclusion of individuals facing serious corruption charges. Notably, former Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, designated as Director, Women Mobilisation, and Ngozi Olejeme, former chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) board, slated as South-south Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination, and Mobilisation, both have active cases of alleged financial impropriety against them from their time in public office. Their inclusion raised immediate questions about the party's commitment to anti-corruption.
Further compounding the controversy was the naming of senior officials from critical public institutions in partisan campaign roles, raising concerns about conflict of interest and institutional neutrality. Zacheus Adedeji, Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), was listed as Deputy Director, Fundraising, a role that opposition figures argued compromises the integrity and impartiality expected of a revenue chief. Similarly, the involvement of the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, in fundraising structures also drew criticism.
Omissions and Oversight Concerns
Beyond the problematic inclusions, the initial list was also criticized for the inexplicable omission of several experienced and influential party members. Figures such as Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who served as spokesman for the 2023 council, and former Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, who was the 2023 Director-General, were conspicuously absent. Other notable omissions included former governors like Yahaya Bello, Gbenga Daniel, and Ibikunle Amosun, who have played significant roles in past campaigns. Additionally, some omissions were attributed to mere human error, such as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and various state senators.
Presidency's Swift Action and Internal Review
The widespread concerns prompted an immediate internal review, leading to the indefinite postponement of the council's inauguration. Sources indicated that while the core leadership—the Director-General and Secretary—would remain intact, the composition of the general membership would be adjusted to remove contentious names and integrate overlooked, valuable individuals. This process, described as 'fine-tuning,' is not unprecedented, with a similar review having occurred for the 2023 elections. Efforts to obtain official comments from presidential aides, including Bayo Onanuga, Dr. Daniel Bwala, and Tunde Rahman, were unsuccessful.
Opposition Fires Back: Calls for Integrity and Neutrality
The controversial list ignited strong reactions from the opposition. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Vice Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), lambasted the council's composition, describing it as a "continuation of the same system" that has subjected Nigerians to severe hardship. He questioned what the APC was asking Nigerians to vote for in 2027—a new beginning or more of the same challenges. Kwankwaso also appealed directly to Senator Abdulaziz Yari to reconsider his role as DG, citing the impact of insecurity and poverty in his home state. He further challenged the involvement of senior public officials like Adedeji and Kurfi, arguing that their participation in partisan structures undermines institutional neutrality and public trust.
Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, echoed these sentiments, announcing plans to challenge Adedeji's appointment in court due to a clear conflict of interest. Melaye also questioned the propriety of President Tinubu chairing his own presidential campaign council, signaling a potential legal battle over the council's structure.
Defence Minister Accepts Role Amidst Scrutiny
Amidst the swirling controversy, Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, confirmed his inclusion in the council, describing it as a "call to higher service." Through his Special Assistant on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the Minister assured the public that his campaign duties would not compromise national security. He pledged diligence and focus to ensure party victory while maintaining unwavering commitment to ongoing operations and reforms within the defence sector.
APC Group Defends Yari's Appointment
Meanwhile, a Northwest Grassroots mobilisation group, APC Daga Titi Zuwa Titi, criticized Kwankwaso's comments regarding Yari's appointment. In a statement, the group asserted that the opposition was "jittery" over Yari's emergence, suggesting that his inclusion had unsettled the opposition camp. They highlighted that politicians rarely advise opponents to abandon positions they deem politically irrelevant, implying Kwankwaso's appeal underscored Yari's perceived strength.
Why This Matters
The swift and decisive review of the APC's 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list underscores the critical importance of public perception and internal party cohesion in Nigeria's political landscape. A flawed list, particularly one tainted by allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest, risks eroding public trust and providing potent ammunition for the opposition, potentially jeopardizing the ruling party's strategic positioning for the upcoming elections. The outcome of this review will be a crucial indicator of the APC's commitment to transparency and its ability to present a united and credible front to the Nigerian electorate.