Discontent is growing within All Progressives Congress (APC) over the composition of its 2027 presidential campaign council, with party officials and 2023 support groups protesting what they describe as the marginalisation of statutory officers and grassroots loyalists.
Members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) have complained that strategic roles in the 223-member structure were largely allocated to governors, National Assembly leaders and other public office holders, while long-serving party officers were either excluded from key responsibilities or given deputy positions.
President Bola Tinubu is chairman of the council. Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serve as vice chairmen. Former Zamfara governor Abdul’aziz Yari is director-general, and Imo governor Hope Uzodimma is secretary.
Some NWC members privately described Yilwatda’s role as largely ceremonial, arguing that under established party practice the national chairman should hold a more central operational position. Senior figures including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Yobe governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau were assigned major coordinating responsibilities.
The protests widened when the National Coordinator of Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ), Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje, publicly voiced the frustration of groups that backed Tinubu in 2023.
“We worked tirelessly for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023. We mobilised our people, defended his mandate and took the message of Renewed Hope to Nigerians. We did all of these because we believed in him and his vision for Nigeria,” Alawuje said.
“We are not asking for positions for the sake of positions. What we are demanding is recognition and inclusion. Those who stood with Asiwaju when it mattered should not suddenly become irrelevant when another election is approaching.”
He added that the group remained loyal to the president and committed to his 2027 bid: “We are loyal to Asiwaju and we remain committed to his 2027 project. Our concern is that the people who built the political structure from the grassroots must not be forgotten.”
Earlier unease had also arisen over the reported absence from the initial list of Deputy House Speaker Benjamin Kalu, former Plateau governor Simon Lalong and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo.
Party sources told local media that the list was largely driven from within the Presidency, with Progressive Governors’ Forum members exerting considerable influence. One source alleged that a powerful House of Representatives member from Lagos State played a central role in compiling the document.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said on Wednesday that the council list had not been withdrawn and remained valid, though adjustments could be made.
“As it is with every other list, there’s a room for subcommittees. Those subcommittees have not been formed, and so many other names will come into that subcommittee,” Dare said. “So that list has not been withdrawn. The APC has issued a statement to that effect yesterday, that list stands. But of course, there will be adjustments. The list is not cast in stone, just like every other list.”
He rejected the term “review,” describing any changes as limited adjustments rather than a wholesale overhaul.
Alawuje said the acknowledgement that the structure was not final offered an opportunity to address the grievances. “The list is said not to be cast in stone. That is why we are appealing that our people should be considered. Let there be room for those who worked for this administration before, during and after the 2023 election,” he said.
Attention is now focused on whether the promised adjustments will calm the internal discontent as the APC prepares for the 2027 presidential contest.
