As the official start of campaigning for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections starts tomorrow, major political parties have yet to fully constitute their campaign councils. The processes which according to our investigations have gone far in major parties have been hindered by internal intrigues, regional consultations, and pending court cases. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), schedule presidential and National Assembly campaigns officially opens on August 19, 2026, while governorship and State Assembly campaigns follow on September 9. Major parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)—are still struggling to finalise their campaign structures ahead of the deadline. APC scrutinizes Uzodinmma, Al-Makura, Yari, others for campaign DG The APC is said to be assessing candidates for the position of Director-General (DG) of President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign council. While no official appointment has been made, several prominent political figures have been linked to the role through internal party discussions. Some political bigwigs in the APC and government appointees are said to be engaging in an intense lobbying for the position as many outgoing governors are said to be interested. A source within the ruling party told our correspondent yesterday that three primary individuals are the leading candidates being considered by party stakeholders. One of the names given is Senator Tanko Al-Makura. The former Governor of Nasarawa State is said to be a top contender. Although the source said nothing has been finalised as actual approval has to come from the Presidency, he has received formal endorsements from groups such as the APC Integrity Group, which describes him as a founding father of the progressive movement with a track record of grassroots mobilization and experience necessary to unite the party. The source added that the Imo State Governor and current Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinmma, is also frequently cited as a leading contender. The source said his potential selection is tied to strategic regional calculations—specifically, the consideration that appointing a prominent Christian political figure could reinforce the administration’s message of inclusiveness, given that both the President and Vice President are Muslim. The other name being mentioned according to the source is the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari as well as two other political appointees. Although the source did not name the appointees, there was a media report that the name of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is also being mentioned although he has denied lobbying for such a position. Another competent source from the party told Daily Trust that the list of the campaign council is almost ready but that it is being put together by the Presidency. He said, “nything you are hearing from this Secretariat (APC) Secretariat) is just a mere prediction as the final list will be from the Presidency.’’ On whether the list will be released before August 19 when the electoral body is expected to lift the ban on campaigning nationwide, the source said that also depends on the Presidency. ‘’As I said, everything is coming from the Presidency but what I know is that everything is almost ready, except the head of the Councils who is still being scrutinised,’’ he added. Our correspondent reports that in 2023, then governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong headed the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council. ADC weighs Tambuwal, Liyel Imoke for campaign DG Meanwhile, sources from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Sokoto State governor, and Liyel Imoke, former Cross River State governor, are among those being considered to lead the party’s campaign council. A source close to the party hierarchy told our correspondent yesterday that they will consider regional balancing in selecting the leadership of the campaign council. He said the final list would be released in a couple of days, adding that the August 19 lifting of the ban on the campaigns by the electoral body only signifies the campaign process and no deadline attach to it. With Atiku as its presidential candidate, the party is weighing political experience and regional balance as consultations continue. Dickson to provide NDC national campaign list The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has not publicly announced a specific list of politicians under consideration to head the presidential campaign council for Peter Obi. A competent source from the party told Daily Trust yesterday that the National Leader of the party, Senator Seriaki Dickson, is already working on the list of those to make up the campaign council. The source, however, said the national leader is doing it in consultation wi
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
