Political Shake-Up: Tinubu ‘Withdraws’ APC Campaign List, Kalu, Keyamo, Lalong Left Out

President Bola Tinubu has reportedly ordered the withdrawal and review of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general elections following controversy over its initial composition.

The development came after concerns were raised by senior members of the ruling party over the list released by the Presidency on Saturday.

According to TheWill, Tinubu directed the Presidency, the National Assembly leadership and the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to withdraw and rework the list after stakeholders complained that it did not adequately reflect the party’s hierarchy, geographical spread and political structure.

Sources said the President was particularly concerned that several influential party members and experienced political actors were left out of the initial arrangement.

“The President was shocked and surprised that there was limited input from key and experienced people in the party in the final composition of the campaign council,” a source said.

The initial list named former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General of the campaign council. However, its composition immediately generated concerns within the party over the omission of several prominent APC figures.

One of the major concerns was the exclusion of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.

Under the initial arrangement, Senate President Godswill Akpabio was designated Deputy Director-General for the Southern campaign, alongside House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibril Barau were also assigned coordinating roles.

Some party stakeholders reportedly questioned the structure, arguing that the placement of the Senate President alongside other National Assembly officials did not sufficiently reflect the constitutional hierarchy of the legislature.

Sources said the revised arrangement would therefore need to address the perceived imbalance and ensure that the National Assembly leadership is appropriately represented within the campaign structure.

Also absent from the initial list was Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who played a prominent role as spokesman and Director of Public Affairs during the APC’s 2023 presidential campaign.

Other notable omissions included former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who served as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in 2023; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, who handled Stakeholders Relations; and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, who served as National Youth Coordinator.

Former Ogun State Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as former Edo State governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, were also reportedly left out of the initial list.

The omission of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has equally raised concerns within the party. Okpebholo has played a prominent role in the APC’s mobilisation efforts for Tinubu’s re-election and is regarded as an important political figure in the South-South.

Despite the decision to review and reconstitute the campaign council, there is currently no indication that Tinubu has withdrawn the appointment of Yari as Director-General.