APC forms presidential campaign council for 2027 elections

APC forms presidential campaign council for 2027 elections

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to coordinate the party's efforts for the January 2027 elections. The announcement, made on Saturday, 22 August 2026, via a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, establishes a leadership structure combining current government officials, party executives, and veteran political figures.

President Tinubu will serve as the chairman of the council. He is joined by Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who will both serve as vice chairmen.

The day-to-day coordination of the campaign falls to Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the former governor of Zamfara State, who has been appointed director-general. Secretary duties will be handled by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma. Supporting them are Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the APC National Secretary, as deputy secretary, and Hadiza Bala-Usman as assistant secretary.

In a message accompanying the appointments, President Tinubu asserted that his administration has fulfilled campaign promises and placed Nigeria on a trajectory of economic progress.

"We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians. 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. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,"

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, via Bayo Onanuga

The President charged the council to work tirelessly to ensure victory in January 2027 and encouraged directorate leaders to recruit party members not formally listed in the announcement.

Regional and Administrative Leadership

The campaign has divided regional oversight between the north and south. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abass, and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni are assigned as deputy director-generals for these zones, working alongside Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau.

Other key administrative roles include:

• Mobilisation: Senator Adams Oshiomhole, deputy director-general.
• Administration: Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and deputy director-general.
• Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring: James Abiodun Faleke, returning as deputy director-general.

Faleke will oversee a network of zonal directors: Senator Olushola Adeyeye (South West), Dr Ngozi Olejeme (South South), Senator Uche Ekwunife (South East), Muntaqha Rabe (North West), Ahmed Muhammed Ketso (North Central), and Senator Sani Danladi (North East). The secretaries for this directorate are Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat, and Audu Maikori.

Specialized Directorates and Advisers

President Tinubu will be supported by a body of advisers that includes Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.

Legal affairs will be managed by a directorate led by Muiz Adeyemi Banire as director, with Babatunde Ogala and Dr Liman Hassan as deputies. The team also includes Attorney-General of the Federation Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms, and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

Media and Strategic Communication will be coordinated by Mohammed Idris Malagi, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, alongside Lanre Issa-Onilu, Bayo Onanuga, and Dele Alake. The media team's coordinating deputy directors are Felix Morka, Daniel Bwala, Sunday Dare, and Tunde Rahman.

The media structure further includes coordinating secretaries Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Frederick Nwabufor, Arabinrin Aderonke, and Temitope Ajayi. Segun Dada returns to his 2022 role as Director of New Media, supported by Secretary Solomon Arowolo.

To handle public messaging, the campaign appointed five spokespersons: Dele Alake, who leads the group, along with Adamu Fanda, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, Ayobami Oyalowo, and Alwan Hassan.