-
Three months before the official announcement, THEWILL exclusively reported on May 11 that former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, had been chosen to lead President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
-
Tinubu has now constituted the APC Presidential Campaign Council and officially appointed Yari as Director-General, validating THEWILL’s earlier report based on information from sources familiar with the President’s decision.
-
Former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has been named Deputy Director-General in charge of Mobilisation, while Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma becomes Secretary of the campaign council.
-
The council brings together top APC leaders, governors, lawmakers and political strategists, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni among those assigned key coordinating roles.
August 22, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu has formally appointed former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election, confirming an exclusive report published by THEWILL more than three months ago.
The appointment was contained in the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council announced on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
THEWILL had exclusively reported on May 11, 2026, that Yari had been selected by Tinubu to head his re-election campaign, citing reliable sources familiar with the President’s decision.
The exclusive, published under the headline, “EXCLUSIVE: Tinubu to Name Ex-Zamfara Gov. Yari as Director-General of 2027 Presidential Campaign,” reported that, barring unforeseen circumstances, Yari would be appointed Director-General of the President’s re-election campaign council.
At the time, one of the sources who spoke to THEWILL said: “The President in his wisdom has chosen Senator Abdul’aziz Yari to lead his re-election campaign. We will be successful in sha Allah.”
THEWILL also reported in May that, as a precursor to Yari’s formal appointment, Tinubu had adopted the Renewed Hope Network (RHN), spearheaded by the former Zamfara governor, as a formal structure to press for his re-election.
The formal campaign structure announced on Saturday places Tinubu as Chairman of the council, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as Vice Chairmen.
Yari, who served as Zamfara State Governor from 2011 to 2019 and currently represents Zamfara West in the Senate, will coordinate the campaign as Director-General.
His appointment gives effect to the decision first reported by THEWILL in May and places him at the centre of the APC’s political machinery as the ruling party prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed Secretary of the campaign council, while APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman were named Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.
The campaign council will be supported by a team of senior political figures serving as advisers to the President. They include former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; former APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.
Oshiomhole, Akpabio, Abbas Get Key Roles
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were appointed Deputy Directors-General for the campaign in the southern and northern parts of the country.
They will work with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau in coordinating campaign activities across the two regions.
Former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, will serve as Deputy Director-General in charge of Mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as Deputy Director-General in charge of Administration.
James Abiodun Faleke, who played a key role in the APC’s 2022/2023 presidential campaign, also returns to the campaign structure as Deputy Director-General in charge of Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.
Faleke will work with zonal directors appointed to coordinate campaign activities across the six geopolitical zones.
Senator Olushola Adeyeye will oversee the South-West; Dr Ngozi Olejeme, the South-South; Senator Uche Ekwunife, the South-East; Muntaqha Rabe, the North-West; Ahmed Muhammed Ketso, the North-Central; and Senator Sani Danladi, the North-East.
Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori were appointed secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.
Legal, Media Teams Unveiled
The Legal Directorate will be headed by Muiz Adeyemi Banire, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala serving as deputies.
Other members of the legal team comprise the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema; Worgu Boms; and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.
For Media and Strategic Communication, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was appointed Coordinating Director. He will work with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka were named Coordinating Deputy Directors, while Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufor will serve as Coordinating Secretaries.
Segun Dada returns as Director of New Media, a position he held during the 2022/2023 campaign, while Solomon Arowolo was appointed Secretary, New Media.
The campaign council also named five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake. The others are Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda.
READ ALSO:
- 2027 Elections: NBC Warns Broadcasters, Publishers, Bloggers Against Hate Speech, Misinformation
- APC Sets August 22 Primaries As Battle Opens For 11 Restored, Vacant Legislative Seats
- 2027: ‘Tinubu’s Political Empire Won’t Survive Free Poll’ – Baba-Ahmed Predicts Defeat By 4pm
Tinubu Charges Team To Secure Victory
According to Onanuga, Tinubu charged members of the campaign council to work tirelessly towards securing victory for the APC in the January 2027 elections.
The President also directed leaders of the various directorates to bring other party members into the campaign effort, including those who were not formally listed in the council.
Tinubu said the campaign should focus on the achievements of his administration and its economic reforms.
“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. 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,” the President said.
He urged the campaign team to confidently present the administration’s record to Nigerians and use its achievements to inspire support 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,” Tinubu said.
The President further charged the campaign council to defeat opposition forces seeking to replace the APC government.
“Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,” he added.
The unveiling of the campaign council comes amid intensified political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties and presidential hopefuls also stepping up their mobilisation and public engagements.
The new structure is expected to coordinate the APC’s nationwide campaign, grassroots mobilisation, election planning and strategic communication as Tinubu seeks a second term in office.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
