By Eshioromeh Sebastian
President Bola Tinubu has charged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to work diligently to secure victory in their respective wards in the 2027 general election, noting that their efforts would only be fully acknowledged upon delivery at the polls.
The President gave the charge on Wednesday during the inauguration of the council at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as the ruling party formally begins preparations for his re-election bid.
“No one gets credit for an incomplete assignment,” Tinubu said. “So, until you deliver the next election, until you deliver your wards, until you deliver the votes, before we can say thank you.”
A Renewed Covenant with Nigerians
The President described the inauguration as more than a formal gathering, framing it as a renewed commitment to the Nigerian people.
“The APC is ready. We have not gathered merely to inaugurate a council; we have gathered to renew a covenant, a covenant with the Nigerian people and the historic responsibility they have entrusted to us as Nigeria’s governing party. We promise we will not let them down,” he stated.
Tinubu, who expressed gratitude to party members for their support in the previous election, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to secure victory once again.
“I celebrate you. I celebrate you, no doubt about that. Nigeria will continue to celebrate you. You will see the joy of this victory. You will share in the joy,” he said.
Governance First, Campaign Second
In a candid moment, the President acknowledged that he would not be able to participate in every aspect of the campaign, stressing that his responsibilities as head of state must remain his priority.
“You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before,” Tinubu said.
“The responsibility of this office does not pause. That responsibility did not recognise our agenda here today. The Constitution allows INEC to make room for parliament but not for the campaign. The job must go on.”
He, however, pledged to make time to address Nigerians directly while the campaign council coordinates activities across the country.
“However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas, so you will excuse me from going everywhere with you,” he added.
Campaign Council Leadership
The campaign council is chaired by President Tinubu, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serving as first and second vice-chairmen respectively.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are the deputy vice-chairmen.
Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was named Director-General of the council.
Other key appointments include Femi Gbajabiamila as head of administration, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary, and former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje as director of stakeholder mobilisation.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was also listed among the party’s campaign officials, while Dele Alake was named spokesman.
The council’s structure includes directorates responsible for mobilisation, election planning and monitoring, finance, fundraising, and regional coordination.
Opposition Figures Drafted In
In a move signalling the party’s outreach beyond its traditional base, the APC named political figures outside its ranks to coordinate support in some states and regions.
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike was named to coordinate Rivers State and the FCT, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo for Anambra, and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for Osun.
The Road to 2027
President Tinubu is seeking a second term in the 2027 presidential election, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled for January 16, 2027.
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