By Hussein Yahaya (Abuja), Sani Ibrahim Paki (Kano) & Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin) The revised list of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council signals a strategic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, with the ruling party seeking to build an all-inclusive “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the general elections. Beyond its role as an electioneering structure, the expanded council reflects the APC’s efforts to transcend traditional party boundaries, incorporate influential opposition figures and consolidate support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid. The most striking feature of the revised list is the inclusion of prominent politicians from opposition parties. Leading the initiative is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who has been named campaign coordinator for Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, a member of the Accord Party, has also been appointed campaign coordinator for his state. Similarly, former Gombe State Governor and serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator Ibrahim Dankwambo has been named an adviser to the campaign council, alongside Obafemi George. Political analysts said the appointments suggest that the APC is seeking to weaken opposition strongholds in the South-South, South-West and North-East by bringing influential politicians from rival parties into its campaign structure. NRS boss, Adedeji retained, Betta Edu, Ngozi Olejeme missing Despite the strategic ambition of the “Rainbow Coalition,” the composition of the revised council did not address the debate over the inclusion of some individuals such as Zacch Adedeji (Chairman, National Revenue Service – NRS). Appointed as Deputy Director of Fundraising, Adedeji’s inclusion has raised questions regarding institutional neutrality. Critics have argued that placing the head of the country’s tax authority in charge of campaign fundraising could create a potential conflict of interest between tax administration and partisan political activities. A careful review of the new list shows that neither Dr Betta Edu nor Ngozi Olejeme is included. Dr Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, was initially named Director of Women Mobilisation. Edu’s inclusion comes after her suspension in January 2024 following an investigation into an alleged N585 million financial impropriety. Though she was subsequently replaced by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the public absence of a final report from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) drew scrutiny from transparency advocacy groups. Also, Ngozi Olejeme, a former board chairperson of the NSITF, was earlier appointed as South-South Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination, and Mobilisation. Her inclusion had similarly drawn questions due to past anti-graft inquiries concerning her tenure at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. Irony in Wike, Adeleke’s appointments The appointments of Wike and Adeleke have raised questions about the implications for their respective political parties, particularly as both parties have presidential ambitions of their own. Although Wike and Adeleke have been associated with Tinubu’s re-election bid, their inclusion in the APC campaign council presents a political contradiction: the PDP and the Accord Party, to which they belong, also have presidential candidates. Our correspondent reports that the PDP is fielding Prof Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate while the court has ordered the Accord Party to recognise Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate. What this implies for the PDP on the surface is that while the party would be campaigning to win the presidential election, the leader of the party, Wike, by virtue of his appointment to the APC presidential campaign, would be directly working against the party without fear of any likely consequence. Political analysts note that, under stricter party discipline, such an arrangement could have been regarded as anti-party activity. But beyond the surface, many are of the view that the PDP only presented a presidential candidate who is loyal to Wike in order not to allow a vacancy for others to take the position and work against his interest. It is not clear how the party would react, but it is not likely that the party would frown on it. Despite remaining a PDP member, the former Rivers State governor has been one of Tinubu’s most consequential political allies outside the ruling party since the 2023 election. Speaking on Tuesday, Wike said the president’s approach was to accommodate people outside the APC who were willing to contribute to his re-election. He argued that people who wanted Tinubu to continue in office should be allowed to contribute regardless of their party affiliations. His position, however, comes against the backdrop of disagreements within the ruling party over his proposed Rainbow Coalition and the extent to which non-A
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