In a move aimed at strengthening President Bola Tinubu’s re-election prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expanded its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to include prominent political figures from opposition parties and key stakeholders across the country.
The reconstituted council, scheduled for inauguration in Abuja today, features notable opposition figures, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Under the new arrangement, Wike will coordinate campaign activities in Rivers State and the FCT, Soludo will oversee mobilisation efforts in Anambra State, while Adeleke has been assigned responsibility for campaign coordination in Osun State.
The council also includes former Gombe State Governor and PDP Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, who joins as an adviser, alongside media strategist Obafemi George.
Campaign Leadership Structure Retained
The revised list confirms Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General of the campaign.
Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation, while Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, takes charge of Administration.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was appointed Deputy Director-General (South II), while Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, will coordinate South-South State Assembly mobilisation.
Minister of Works David Umahi assumes the role of Deputy Director-General for Infrastructure and Sensitisation.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will oversee campaign finances, while Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, will coordinate fundraising activities.
Other appointments include former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as Director of Stakeholder Mobilisation, former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola as South-West Zonal Coordinator for Stakeholder Engagement, Chief Ayiri Emami as Director of Special Duties, and former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo as Deputy Director for Sports Sector Mobilisation.
APC Governors Lead State-Level Campaign Efforts
A major feature of the new structure is the designation of all 32 APC governors as campaign coordinators in their respective states.
In states governed by opposition parties, APC candidates have been assigned campaign responsibilities. Sharafadeen Alli will coordinate activities in Oyo State, Mohammed Abubakar in Bauchi State, and Chijioke Chukwu in Abia State.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, retains his position as the campaign council’s official spokesperson.
The media and communications team has also been expanded to include Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Lere Olayinka, and Segun Sowunmi.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma continues as Secretary of the Campaign Council, supported by APC National Secretary Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman as Deputy and Assistant Secretaries, respectively. James Faleke will serve as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.
APC Pursues Broad Political Coalition
The enlarged campaign council now features 14 advisers, including elder statesmen and party leaders such as Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Florence Ita-Giwa, Ibikunle
Amosun, Iyiola Omisore and Wale Edun.
Party officials say the expanded structure reflects the APC’s strategy of building a wider political coalition ahead of the 2027 elections by drawing support from allies beyond its traditional membership base.
Tinubu Backs Inclusion of Opposition Figures
Sources within the Presidency and the campaign organisation disclosed that President Tinubu personally supported the inclusion of Wike, Soludo and Adeleke despite reservations expressed by some APC stakeholders.
According to party insiders, critics argued that appointing non-APC members to senior campaign roles could weaken party identity and create friction with loyal party structures in their respective states.
However, campaign strategists maintained that integrating influential political figures into the official structure would provide greater coordination, accountability and efficiency than relying on informal support networks.
A source familiar with the decision said the arrangement is intended to streamline campaign funding, grassroots mobilisation, logistics and voter outreach under unified state-level leadership structures.
“The objective is to build a genuine coalition that transcends party lines while ensuring all support structures remain aligned with the campaign’s overall strategy,” the source explained.
Wike Defends Cross-Party Alliance
Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja, Wike described the arrangement as an inclusive platform designed to accommodate influential Nigerians willing to support President Tinubu’s re-election campaign, regardless of political affiliation.
He argued that political support should not be restricted by party membership and maintained that the broader goal is to contribute to the success of the President’s administration.
Wike also defended the “Rainbow Coalition,” a political alliance of APC members and Tinubu supporters from other parties, insisting that such collaborations are neither unusual nor harmful to party interests.
According to him, the coalition provides a platform for individuals and groups who support the President’s agenda while allowing political parties to retain their identities and structures.
Confident of 2027 Victory
The FCT Minister expressed confidence that President Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027, dismissing suggestions that the election could proceed to a second-round contest.
He also rejected allegations that he was working against APC governors in certain states, stressing that supporting President Tinubu does not prevent political parties from fielding their own candidates in other elections.
Focus on National Mobilisation
The inauguration of the expanded Presidential Campaign Council signals the APC’s intention to build a nationwide coalition ahead of the next general election.
By bringing together party loyalists, serving governors, opposition figures and influential political stakeholders under a single campaign structure, the ruling party aims to strengthen grassroots mobilisation, broaden its support base and improve coordination ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
