Yari, Uzodimma, Faleke get key roles, govs named coordinators as 2023 campaign veterans return
President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a 343-member Presidential Campaign Council for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, retaining several figures who played key roles in the party’s 2023 campaign.
Tinubu will chair the council, with Vice President Kashim Shettima as Vice Chairman I and APC national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, as Vice Chairman II.
Former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed director-general, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as secretary.
The list, released by the Presidency yesterday, was signed by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s special adviser on Information and Strategy.
APC national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy and Assistant Secretaries, respectively.
The council’s advisers include Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were appointed as Deputy Directors-General for the South and North, respectively. They will work with Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General, Mobilisation, while the President’s chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will oversee Administration.
James Abiodun Faleke, who played a key role in the 2022/2023 campaign, returns as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.
Faleke will work with zonal directors comprising 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).
Muiz Adeyemi Banire will head the Legal Directorate, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies.
The minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will serve as Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, working with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka will serve as Coordinating Deputy Directors, while Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufor will serve as Coordinating Secretaries.
Segun Dada will head New Media, a position he also held during the 2022 campaign, with Solomon Arowolo as secretary.
The council also named five spokespersons, led by Alake. Others are Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda.
Tinubu charged members of the council to work tirelessly to secure the party’s victory in the January 2027 elections and urged directorate heads to bring on board other party members who could contribute to the campaign.
“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,” he said.
