Presidency names 108-man APC Presidential Campaign Council; Joseph Yobo in

The Nigerian presidency has announced the formation of a 108-member All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections. President Bola Tinubu has been named chairman of the council, which will oversee the political strategy and public outreach for the ruling party. The list of members was officially released in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the president's special adviser on information and strategy, on Saturday. This move marks the formal launch of the APC's electoral campaign preparations. According to the statement, the council includes key figures from within the APC leadership and beyond. Former Zamfara State governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari has been appointed director-general of the campaign, while Governor Hope Uzodimma serves as secretary. Vice President Kashim Shettima and Party Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda have both been designated as vice chairmen. The council also features several prominent politicians and officials, including Senators Rochas Okorocha, Abdullahi Adamu, and Florence Ita Giwa, as well as lawmakers such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abass. The campaign structure includes multiple directorates focused on different aspects of the electoral process. These include the legal directorate, led by Muiz Adeyemi Banire, and the media and strategic communication directorate, coordinated by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi. The media team includes notable figures such as Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu, alongside other professionals like Tunde Rahman and Sunday Dare. The new media directorate, under Segun Dada, continues the role previously held during the 2022/2023 campaign. In addition to these core departments, the campaign has established regional zonal offices to ensure broad coverage across the nation. These include representatives in the South West, South South, South East, North West, North Central, and North East. Each zone is managed by senior legislators and local leaders, including Senator Olushola Adeyeye, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Muntaqha Rabe, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso, and Senator Sani Danladi. The campaign also includes support roles such as secretaries and coordinators, with individuals like Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat, and Audu Maikori playing key administrative functions. The APC has also appointed five official spokespersons to communicate its message to the public. Led by Dele Alake, the team includes Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu, and Adamu Fanda. President Tinubu has directed all council members to engage actively with party members and supporters, encouraging them to participate in the campaign efforts. He emphasized the importance of unity and collective effort in securing victory in the upcoming elections. The announcement comes amid ongoing preparations for the 2027 elections, which are expected to be one of the most competitive in recent Nigerian history. The APC, currently in power, faces challenges from opposition parties and growing public expectations for improved governance and economic performance. The newly formed campaign council represents a strategic investment in the party's ability to mobilize resources and influence voter sentiment effectively. As the campaign season approaches, the focus will shift towards grassroots engagement, media campaigns, and policy advocacy aimed at reinforcing the APC's position as a leading force in Nigerian politics.