Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a revised presidential campaign council for the 2027 general election, incorporating several high-profile opposition figures.

The list includes Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, along with opposition governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State.

Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo have also been named to the team.

Under the leadership structure announced Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu will head the campaign council, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda serving as vice-chairmen.

They will be joined by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in vice-chairmanship roles.

Cross-party coordination

Senator Abdulaziz Yari has been appointed Director-General of the council, supported by several deputy directors-general, including Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Senator Adams Oshiomhole will oversee mobilization efforts.

Prominent appointments across key directorates include:

• Administration: Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila
• Logistics & Operations: Ibrahim Kabir Masari
• Parliamentary Mobilization: Former Speaker Aminu Masari
• Infrastructure Mobilization: Works Minister David Umahi
• Election Planning & Coordination: Lawmaker James Faleke
• Council Secretariat: Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma (Secretary), Senator Ajibola Basiru (Deputy Secretary), and Hadiza Bala Usman (Assistant Secretary)

Regional strategy

To build grassroots momentum, the council has established regional and state-level coordination networks across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Sitting governors and key political figures will serve as campaign coordinators in their respective states. Notably, opposition leaders, including Mr Wike (Rivers and FCT), Prof Soludo (Anambra), Mr Adeleke (Osun), Mr Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), have been assigned state coordination duties.

An advisory board composed of elder statesmen and party chieftains—including former APC chairmen Adebisi Akande and Abdullahi Adamu, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and Finance Minister Wale Edun—will offer strategic guidance to the council.

The broad-based composition underscores the APC’s strategy to consolidate cross-party alliances and regional support ahead of the upcoming election cycle.