EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu to order withdrawal, review of APC 2027 Campaign Council as Lalong, Kalu, Keyamo others are missing
President Bola Tinubu has reportedly directed the withdrawal and review of the initial composition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.
The development followed concerns within the ruling party over the list released by the Presidency on Saturday, with senior APC members reportedly questioning the exclusion of several influential party leaders and the arrangement of some positions.
According to TheWill, the President directed the Presidency, the National Assembly leadership and the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to withdraw the initial list and address concerns relating to party hierarchy, geographical representation and the interests of key stakeholders before issuing a revised composition.
A source quoted by the publication said Tinubu was surprised by the limited input from experienced party members in the final list.
“The President was shocked and surprised that there was limited input from key and experienced people in the party in the final composition of the campaign council.”
The initial council was to be headed by former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General.
However, the composition reportedly triggered disquiet within the party following the omission of several prominent APC figures considered important to the party’s political mobilisation across different regions.
One of the notable concerns was the absence of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
Under the initial arrangement, Senate President Godswill Akpabio was named a Deputy Director-General for the Southern campaign alongside House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau were also assigned coordinating roles.
Some party stakeholders reportedly questioned the structure, arguing that the ranking of National Assembly leaders was not adequately reflected in the campaign hierarchy.
The new arrangement is therefore expected to address the concerns and ensure that the leadership of the National Assembly is appropriately integrated into the campaign structure.
Another major omission was Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who played a prominent role as spokesman and Director of Public Affairs during the APC’s 2023 presidential campaign.
Other APC figures with previous presidential campaign experience who were reportedly left out include former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the party’s 2023 Presidential Campaign Council, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who previously handled stakeholder relations.
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who served as National Youth Coordinator during the 2023 campaign, was also absent from the initial list.
Former Ogun State Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as former Edo State governorship candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu, were among other notable names reportedly missing.
The omission of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also raised concerns, given his role in the APC’s political mobilisation and his influence in the South-South.
Despite the decision to withdraw and review the campaign council, there was no indication that Tinubu had reversed the appointment of Yari as Director-General.
The revised structure is expected to incorporate more party stakeholders and address the concerns raised over hierarchy, regional balance and political representation as the APC prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
