Tinubu Drops 2027 Campaign Machine, Yari Named DG
President Bola Tinubu has fired the starting pistol for the 2027 race, officially constituting the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council. The lineup is heavy, the stakes are higher, and the message is clear: this is a campaign built to win, and win big.
Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the former Zamfara State Governor, takes the wheel as Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma locks in as Secretary. The announcement dropped Saturday morning via a statement from the Presidency, signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Who's who in the 2027 APC campaign team
The structure is a roll call of political heavyweights. Tinubu himself chairs the council, with Vice President Kashim Shettima as Vice-Chairman I. APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, steps in as Vice-Chairman II.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni are all in as Deputy Director-Generals for the South and North zones. They'll work alongside Senators Bamidele Opeyemi and Jibril Barau.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole brings his legendary mobilisation muscle as Deputy Director-General for Mobilisation, while the President's Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, handles Administration.
James Faleke, the man who helped steer the 2022/2023 ship, returns as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring. He's got zonal directors across all six geo-political zones backing him up.
Media, legal, and new media directorates take shape
The communications machine is stacked. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris leads as Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, working with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu. Five spokespersons, led by Alake, will carry the party's message to every corner of the nation.
Muiz Banire, SAN, heads the Legal Directorate. Segun Dada returns as Director of New Media, ready to take the digital fight to the opposition. Stella Okotete, Abdullahi Garba Ramat, and Audu Maikori anchor the election planning secretariat.
Tinubu's charge: 'We are out of the dark tunnel'
In the statement, Tinubu didn't mince words. He charged every council member to work tirelessly for victory in the January 2027 elections and urged directorate leaders to bring in party members not formally listed.
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. 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. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.
That's a direct challenge to the opposition. Tinubu is framing 2027 not just as an election, but as a choice between progress and regression. The APC is coming with receipts, and they're daring anyone to test them.
What does this mean for the 2027 election?
This council is a statement of intent. The APC is not playing defence; they're building a war machine early. With heavy hitters from the legislature, executive, and state governments all in one room, the party is consolidating its base and preparing for a fierce contest.
For Nigerians, this signals the real political season has begun. The next few months will be a storm of rallies, campaigns, and promises. The APC has drawn its battle lines. Now, the opposition knows exactly who they're up against.