2027: Tinubu demand victory as Yari, Uzodimma lead campaign

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President Bola Tinubu has said he eyes victory in 2027, tasking members of the All Progressives Congress who are going to lead his campaign to ensure that the party triumphs in next year’s election.

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Tinubu stated this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announcing the constitution of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the January 2027 election.

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The President is the chairman of the council, while the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, serves as vice chairman, with former Zamfara State governor, Abdulaziz Yari, appointed as the Director-General of the campaign.

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Onanuga said APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, would also serve as vice chairman, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was named secretary.

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The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman were appointed deputy and assistant secretaries, respectively.

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As chairman, Tinubu will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Rochas Okorocha, Abdullahi Adamu and Florence Ita-Giwa.

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He also assigned the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as deputy directors-general for the campaign in the South and North, respectively, working alongside the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, in the two zones.

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Former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, will serve as deputy director-general in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will serve as deputy director-general for administration.

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“James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring, working with zonal directors comprising Senator Olusola Adeyeye in the South-West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South-South, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the South-East, Muntaqha Rabe in the North-West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso in the North-Central, and Senator Sani Danladi in the North-East.

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“Stella Okotete, Abdullahi Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as secretaries of the election planning directorate.

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“Muiz Banire will lead the legal directorate as director, supported by Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies,” the statement read.

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Other members of the legal team include Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, former Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Udeh.

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

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The media directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka as coordinating deputy directors.

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“Abdulaziz Abdulaziz will work with Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufo as coordinating secretaries of the media directorate.

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“Segun Dada will serve as Director, New Media, his role in the 2022/2023 campaign, with Solomon Arowolo serving as Secretary, New Media,” said the statement.

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According to Onanuga, five spokespersons have also been appointed, led by Dele Alake.

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

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Tinubu encouraged directorate leaders to reach out to other party members who may not have been formally listed to join the campaign’s crucial efforts.

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“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.

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“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 was quoted to have said.

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Campaign team a tactic to run away from subsidy debate – Atiku

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However, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has said the unveiling of the campaign team was a tactic by President Tinubu to divert Nigerians’ attention from the subsidy debate.

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Speaking to Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, Atiku’s Special Adviser on Media, Paul Ibe, said, “The Tinubu’s campaign council is deflective; it is meant to divert attention from the larger issue of subsidy. This is not the first time that Tinubu people will do this. They are very good at deflection.

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“They just want the campaign council to become the talking point and run away from the subsidy debate.”

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Asked when Atiku would unveil his campaign team, Ibe stated that the process was in the final stage and would soon be ready.

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“The campaign team is being worked out. But what is more important is the policy. It is above the campaign council and all of that. The council will come very soon, but the priority is on the policy, that is what will give us direction,” he said.

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Similarly, the Allied Peoples’ Movement described the campaign team as a gathering of “yes men” incapable of securing the President’s re-election in 2027.

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The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abubakar Yusuf, in a statement on Saturday, said many members of Tinubu’s campaign council lacked the public goodwill required to deliver victory for the President.

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The party singled out former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, who was named Director-General of the campaign council, questioning his record in office and linking his administration to the security and socioeconomic challenges that confronted Zamfara during his tenure.

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The APM also criticised other members of the campaign structure, accusing some of them of political inconsistency and seeking protection from corruption allegations.

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It said the composition of the campaign council reinforced its earlier position that Tinubu would struggle to secure the support of Nigerians in 2027 because of what it described as the administration’s poor performance.

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The party argued that the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election should serve as a warning to the ruling party ahead of the presidential election.

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The APM further positioned its presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, as the alternative to Tinubu, saying he would offer a different approach to governance based on transparency, inclusive human development, prudent management of public resources, security and economic productivity.

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“Our candidate is armed with a blueprint for a new and transparent approach to governance that puts Nigerians first, prioritizing inclusive human development and wellbeing through people-oriented policies and prudent management of resources,” the party said.

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