By : Ike Philip AbiagomÂ
ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the review and reconstitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, following concerns over perceived omissions and shortcomings in the initial composition.
The directive came shortly after the Presidency announced a 223-member campaign council, headed by former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General.
Sources familiar with the development said the President ordered the review after senior members of the ruling party raised concerns over the exclusion of key stakeholders, experienced campaigners and influential political leaders from the initial list.
The concerns reportedly centred on the level of representation accorded various regions, the National Assembly and important organs and leaders of the APC.
Following the development, President Tinubu is said to have directed his Chief of Staff and other officials in the Presidency to work with the leadership of the National Assembly and the APC National Working Committee to review the structure and identify areas requiring adjustment.
The review is expected to produce a broader and more representative campaign team capable of bringing together major party leaders, political stakeholders and experienced campaigners as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
One of the major issues reportedly raised within the party was the absence of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, from the initial list.
His omission attracted attention, particularly because of his position as one of the highest-ranking political office holders from the South-East, prompting questions over the region’s representation in the campaign structure.
The positions assigned to some National Assembly leaders also reportedly generated concerns among party stakeholders.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was named Deputy Director-General for the Southern campaign, while Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, were assigned senior responsibilities.
Other National Assembly leaders, including Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy President of the Senate, Jibril Barau, were also given coordinating roles.
Some party members, however, reportedly felt that the initial arrangement did not sufficiently reflect the political and constitutional ranking of the leadership of the National Assembly.The proposed restructuring is therefore expected to address the concerns and ensure that the various political leaders are appropriately positioned within the campaign hierarchy.
Several experienced APC campaigners were also reportedly absent from the initial list.
Among them are former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who played a prominent role in the party’s 2023 presidential campaign, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who was also involved in stakeholder engagement during the 2023 campaign, was another notable omission.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who served as National Youth Coordinator during the previous presidential campaign, was also not included in the initial structure.
The planned rejig is expected to accommodate some of the omitted stakeholders and strengthen the campaign council’s regional, political and institutional representation.
The development underscores the APC’s efforts to consolidate its political structure and mobilise its leaders and supporters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.