The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, but the composition of the body has already generated discussion, with several prominent politicians and experienced campaign strategists absent from the list.

The council was announced on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy and Coordinating Director of Media and Strategic Communication of the campaign.

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

Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’aziz Yari, was appointed Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will serve as secretary.

APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman were named deputy secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.

However, the composition has reportedly triggered concerns over the representation of some key party stakeholders, with reports stating that the President has directed a review of the list to address concerns over hierarchy, geographical spread and the party’s political structure.

Despite their previous roles in presidential campaigns and political mobilisation, the following seven prominent figures are not currently listed among the members of the campaign council:

1. Festus Keyamo

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development played a prominent role in the party’s presidential campaigns in the past elections.

He served as Director of Strategic Communications and spokesperson during the campaign for former President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

In 2023, he served as Chief Spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs for the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, where he was one of the administration’s most prominent defenders.

2. Simon Lalong

The former Plateau State governor served as Director-General of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council during the 2023 election.

His experience in managing a presidential campaign makes his absence from the initial list noteworthy.

3. Nuhu Ribadu

The National Security Adviser previously served as Director of Field Operations for the Buhari Presidential Campaign Organisation during the 2019 general election.

Although his current responsibilities are primarily focused on national security, his previous campaign experience makes him another prominent name missing from the council.

4. Yahaya Bello

The former Kogi State governor was a major mobiliser for Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign and remains an influential APC figure.

Bello’s political network and experience in grassroots mobilisation could have made him a potentially valuable addition to the campaign structure.

5. Femi Fani-Kayode

The former Minister of Aviation and APC chieftain was a vocal supporter of Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign.

He served as Director of Special Media Operations and New Media for the Tinubu-Shettima campaign and was actively involved in defending the presidential ticket.

With the reported review of the campaign council, it remains to be seen whether some of these politicians will be included in an expanded or revised structure. (Vanguard)

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