***Why Tinubu pushed for Wike, Soludo, Adeleke despite internal push-backs ***Rainbow Coalition has come to stay, Wike tells APC govs By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA — To ensure a smooth sail for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential poll, the Presidency and ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, have included leading opposition figures and governors in Tinubu’s re-election council, in spite of strong push-backs from sections of the party. In its expanded Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, that will be inaugurated today in Abuja, the APC included Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT; Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke of Accord; and his counterpart in Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Wike was appointed coordinator of the party’s campaign in Rivers and the FCT, Soludo coordinator for Anambra, while Adeleke was named coordinator for Osun. The revised list also incorporated former Gombe State governor and serving PDP Senator, Ibrahim Dankwambo, who was appointed as adviser to the Campaign Council alongside Obafemi George, who will also advise on media strategy. Key leadership positions within the campaign hierarchy were also confirmed in the updated release. Senator Abdulaziz Yari retained his position as Director-General of the re-election campaign. Former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, serves as Deputy Director-General for Mobilization, while Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, takes on the role of Deputy Director-General for Administration. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, was named Deputy D-G South II, while the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, will serve as South-South Deputy Coordinator for State Assemblies Mobilization. Minister of Works, David Umahi, was appointed Deputy D-G for Infrastructure and Sensitization. Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has been named Director of Finance, while Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, Zacch Adedeji, will jointly coordinate fund-raising operations. Former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, was named Director for Stakeholder Mobilization, while former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, serves as the South-West Zonal Coordinator for Stakeholders’ Mobilization. Chief Ayiri Emami was named Director for Special Duties, while former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo was appointed Deputy Director for Sports Sector Mobilization. A notable difference in the new list is the appointment of all 32 APC governors as campaign coordinators for their respective states, while Sharafadeen Alli, the party’s governorship candidate in Oyo, was appointed coordinator for the state. For Bauchi, Mohammed Abubakar, the APC governorship candidate, was appointed campaign coordinator, while Chijioke Chukwu, the party’s flagbearer in Abia, is coordinator for the state. Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, continues his role as Official Spokesman for the Campaign Council. Joining the media communications team are Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Lere Olayinka (media aide to FCT Minister Wike), and Segun Sowunmi. In administrative and operational roles, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, continues as Secretary of the Campaign Council, supported by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman as Deputy and Assistant Secretaries, respectively. Representative James Faleke will serve as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination, and Monitoring. Unlike the first list, the new one contains 14 advisers, including Chief Bisi Akande, Aremo Segun Osoba, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, former Cross-River south senator; Florence Ita-Giwa, former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, former APC national secretary, Iyiola Omisore, and former Coordinating Finance Minister, Wale Edun, among others. The expansion of the campaign structure underlines the ruling party’s strategy to build a broad-based political coalition as momentum builds toward the 2027 general elections. A statement by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, said the campaign council will be inaugurated today. Why Tinubu pushed for Wike, Soludo, Adeleke despite internal push-backs Last night, details emerged on the strategic calculations behind President Tinubu’s decision to formally include non-APC political heavyweights, despite internal push-backs from key party stakeholders. The move followed concerns raised by a section of APC loyalists who privately urged the President to allow the tri
Don't miss out on breaking stories and in-depth articles.
