JUST IN: Tinubu Heads APC 2027 Campaign Council, Yari Named DG

By Temitope Adebiyi, Correspondent

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will chair the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the January 2027 elections, with former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, appointed Director-General of the campaign.

Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as vice chairmen of the council, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has been named secretary.

The composition of the campaign council was announced in a statement issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

President Tinubu, while charging members of the council to work tirelessly for the APC’s victory, said the administration would go into the campaign season with a record of achievements which members must confidently present to Nigerians. NigerianBusiness Directory

He declared that the country had emerged from its difficult economic phase and was approaching a period in which Nigerians would begin to reap the benefits of the reforms undertaken by his administration.

“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”, the President said.

According to the campaign structure, APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala-Usman, will serve as deputy and assistant secretaries, respectively.

President Tinubu will also work with a team of advisers comprising former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; Chief Segun Osoba; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; former APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

The campaign council also assigned Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as deputy directors-general for the campaign in the South and North.

They are to work with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibril Barau, in the two zones.

Former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, was appointed Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Abiodun Faleke, who played a prominent role in the APC’s 2022/2023 presidential campaign, returns as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

Faleke will work with zonal directors, including Senator Olushola Adeyeye for the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme for the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife for the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe for the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso for the North-Central and Senator Sani Danladi for the North-East.

Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori were named secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.

The Legal Directorate will be headed by Muiz Adeyemi Banire as director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala serving as deputies.

Other members of the directorate are Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; former Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema; Worgu Boms; and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication alongside Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu.

The Media Directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka, who were appointed coordinating deputy directors.

Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufor will serve as coordinating secretaries of the Media Directorate.

Segun Dada retains the position of Director of New Media, the same responsibility he held during the 2022 campaign, while Solomon Arowolo will serve as Secretary of New Media.

The campaign council also named five spokespersons, with Dele Alake leading the team.

Other spokespersons are Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda.

President Tinubu urged heads of the various campaign directorates to reach beyond those formally appointed to the council and enlist other APC members in the campaign effort.

He said the task before the council required the mobilisation of the broader party structure as the APC prepares to defend its mandate in the January 2027 elections.