2027: APC denies withdrawing Tinubu campaign council list

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The All Progressives Congress has dismissed reports that it withdrew the list of members of its 2027 presidential campaign council for review.

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The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the reports as rumours, saying any changes to the list would be formally announced.

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Morka spoke with TheCable on Tuesday morning in reaction to reports that the party had withdrawn the list following concerns over the inclusion and omission of some names.

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“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news.

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“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is any reason to update it, it would be announced properly,” Morka said.

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The APC had unveiled the campaign council on Saturday, with President Bola Tinubu as chairman and Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, as vice-chairmen.

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Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, was named Director-General, while Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed secretary.

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The composition of the council had generated reactions, particularly over the inclusion of some serving public officials and individuals facing corruption allegations.

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Among those listed as members are former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; former Chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund board, Ngozi Olejeme; Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman, Zacch Adedeji; and Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu.

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Reports had emerged on Monday that the list was being reviewed over concerns about some of the names and the omission of some prominent party members.

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However, Morka said he was not the appropriate person to respond to complaints from party members about those omitted from the list.

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The development comes amid criticism from opposition figures over the composition of the campaign council.

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Former Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, questioned the inclusion of senior public officials in the campaign structure, while former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye threatened legal action over Adedeji’s appointment to the council.

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The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who were both named in the campaign council, described the appointments as a call to higher service and assured that security operations and reforms would continue unabated.

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