Tinubu’s 2027 APC Campaign Council: 5 Veteran Campaigners Left Out

The APC has released the initial structure of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, but the list has drawn attention over the omission of several politicians with significant experience in presidential campaigns and grassroots mobilisation.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy and Coordinating Director of Media and Strategic Communication of the campaign, announced the council on Saturday.

Tinubu will head the council as chairman, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serving as vice chairmen.

Abdul’aziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State and senator representing Zamfara West, was named Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was appointed secretary.

The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, will serve as deputy secretary, while Hadiza Bala-Usman was appointed assistant secretary.

The initial composition has, however, reportedly generated concerns among party stakeholders, prompting reports that President Tinubu has ordered a review of the list.

The review is expected to address concerns surrounding party hierarchy, geographical spread and the political structure of the APC.

Among those absent from the initial list are five politicians who have previously played notable roles in presidential campaigns.

Festus Keyamo

Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has been a prominent figure in the APC’s campaign machinery.

During Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign, he served as Director of Strategic Communications and spokesperson.

He later played an even more prominent role in the 2023 election, serving as Chief Spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs for the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

Simon Lalong

Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong served as Director-General of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 presidential election.

His previous leadership of a presidential campaign structure makes his absence from the initial 2027 council noteworthy.

Nuhu Ribadu

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu also has previous campaign experience, having served as Director of Field Operations for the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2019 general election.

While his present responsibilities are focused largely on national security, his background in campaign organisation places him among the experienced figures missing from the initial list.

Yahaya Bello

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello was a key mobiliser during Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.

The former governor remains an influential APC politician, with a political network and grassroots mobilisation experience that could potentially be useful to the 2027 campaign.

Femi Fani-Kayode

Former Aviation Minister and APC chieftain Femi Fani-Kayode was also an active supporter of Tinubu during the 2023 presidential contest.

He served as Director of Special Media Operations and New Media for the Tinubu-Shettima campaign and was involved in defending the presidential ticket.

The reported review of the campaign council could still alter its composition. It remains to be seen whether any of these experienced campaigners will feature in an expanded or revised structure as the APC prepares for the 2027 election.

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