JUST IN: Tinubu Tasks APC Campaign Council to Defeat Forces Seeking to Take Nigeria Backwards

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to work towards securing victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu gave the charge after the Presidency announced the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, formally setting up the ruling party’s campaign structure ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 2027.

The President will serve as chairman of the campaign council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as vice chairmen.

Former Zamfara State Governor and serving Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General of the campaign council, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named Secretary.

The appointments were announced by the Presidency in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Other senior members of the party were also given responsibilities across the campaign structure as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.

Tinubu, while addressing the newly constituted campaign council, said the party must communicate the achievements of his administration to Nigerians and convince voters of the progress he believes the country has made under his leadership.

“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress,” the President said.

He added that Nigeria was approaching a period in which the benefits of the government's economic policies would become more evident.

“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,” Tinubu said.

### Tinubu demands APC victory in 2027

The President urged members of the campaign council to approach the election campaign with confidence and ensure that the administration's record is effectively communicated across the country.

“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,” he said.

Tinubu then issued a direct political challenge to the campaign council, urging its members to defeat opposition forces seeking to return Nigeria to what he described as the country's past.

“Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,” the President said.

The statement marks one of Tinubu's clearest directives to the newly formed campaign structure as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 election.

The APC is expected to use the campaign council to coordinate its nationwide mobilisation, communicate the administration's policies and achievements, and build support for Tinubu's bid for another term.

### Yari takes charge of campaign council

Yari's appointment as Director-General places the former Zamfara governor at the centre of the APC's presidential campaign machinery.

The serving senator will be responsible for coordinating the activities of the campaign council as the party prepares for the nationwide contest.

Uzodimma, who was appointed Secretary, will work with other members to coordinate the administrative operations of the campaign structure.

The council also includes senior political figures from the executive and legislative arms of government.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were named among the Deputy Directors-General, alongside Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau.

Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was appointed Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was named Deputy Director-General for Administration.

James Abiodun Faleke was appointed Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

The campaign structure also provides for directorates covering media and strategic communication, legal affairs, election planning, mobilisation and other areas considered important to the 2027 contest.

### Campaign council begins work ahead of election

The unveiling of the council comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Campaign activities have already begun, with politicians and parties increasing their mobilisation efforts across the country.

For the APC, the new campaign council will be responsible for translating the administration's political message into a nationwide campaign strategy.

The party is expected to focus heavily on the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration, infrastructure projects, social programmes and other policies it believes should form the basis of the President's campaign for a second term.

The opposition, meanwhile, is expected to challenge the government's record and present alternative policies to voters.

Tinubu's instruction to the campaign council to defeat forces seeking to take Nigeria backwards signals the increasingly competitive political environment expected ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The President also directed leaders of the various directorates to engage APC members who were not included in the formal list of the council but were willing to contribute to the campaign effort.

The move is aimed at creating a broader campaign structure and ensuring that party members across different levels are involved in the mobilisation process.

With the campaign council now constituted, the APC's political machinery is set to begin a more coordinated nationwide campaign as Tinubu seeks to retain the presidency for the party in 2027.