By Peace Erewunmi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has constituted the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election, appointing former Zamfara State Governor and serving Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General.

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

Under the new structure, President Tinubu will serve as Chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as Vice-Chairman I. APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, was named Vice-Chairman II.

Yari, who represents Zamfara West in the Senate, will coordinate the activities of the campaign council as Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will serve as Secretary.

The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman were appointed Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.

The council’s advisory body includes former APC National Chairman, Bisi Akande; veteran journalist and politician, Segun Osoba; former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu; and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were appointed Deputy Directors-General responsible for campaign activities in the southern and northern zones.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole was named Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation, while Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

James Faleke, who played a prominent role in the APC’s 2022/2023 presidential campaign, was appointed Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

The media and strategic communication directorate will be coordinated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu will work alongside him in the directorate.

The campaign council also named five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake, with Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda serving alongside him.

Tinubu charged members of the council to work towards securing victory for the APC in the January 2027 presidential election.

The President also directed the heads of the various directorates to bring on board other capable members of the party who were not included in the initial list.

The constitution of the council marks the formal commencement of the APC’s campaign structure as the ruling party prepares for the 2027 presidential election.