President Bola Tinubu’s newly revised presidential campaign council for the 2027 general election has drawn opposition governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State into the ruling party’s structure, sparking discussions across Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the vote.
The structured appointments include Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike for the FCT and Rivers State, Governor Adeleke for Osun State, and Governor Soludo for Anambra State, signaling an aggressive cross-party coalition effort by the governing party to widen President Tinubu’s political reach.
The campaign council was originally constituted on August 22 with President Tinubu serving as chairman, Vice-President Kashim Shettima as vice-chairman, former Zamfara State governor Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Secretary. The revised structure features Nentawe Yilwatda as second vice-chairman, while Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq serve as deputy vice-chairmen. Additional key positions include Basiru as Deputy Secretary, Hadiza Bala Usman as Assistant Secretary, Femi Gbajabiamila heading administration, and Abdullahi Ganduje directing stakeholder mobilization.
The updated lineup also establishes specific roles for regional deputy director-generals, including Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni for North I, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele for South I, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin for North II, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for South II, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole heading mobilization.
Inauguration at the Presidential Villa and the Rainbow Coalition Concept
Hours after the list’s release, President Tinubu inaugurated the campaign council at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja. Addressing the gathering, the President urged members to secure votes at their respective polling units rather than rely on the central council’s title alone, emphasizing that their contributions would not count until they deliver at the polls. Tinubu also noted that his responsibilities as head of state would remain a priority and that he would not participate in every aspect of the campaign, agreeing with party members who cautioned against allowing campaign demands to distract him from governance.
2027: APGA Backs Tinubu, Endorses Soludo’s Campaign RoleThe All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has reaffirmed its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, while congratulating Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on his appointment as… pic.twitter.com/gim0YjluCS
The inclusion of opposition figures prompted Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele to endorse what they termed a Rainbow Coalition during Wednesday’s plenary session. Akpabio described the multi-party council composition as unprecedented in Nigerian democratic history since 1999, framing the arrangement as a preview of a broader unity government for a potential second term. Commerce expert Dr. Sule Iko-Sami similarly described the council as a reflection of inclusive leadership that transcends party lines by bringing together individuals who believe in the President’s Renewed Hope agenda.
This is historic, and this is uncommon. This has never happened in the history of our democracy since 1999, that a sitting president will constitute his presidential campaign council with almost all the parties in Nigeria, inclusive.
Godswill Akpabio, Senate President
State-Level Leadership and Party Reactions
The appointments have generated varied responses within the affected states and opposition circles. Governor Adeleke, who governs Osun State under the Accord Party banner, defended his participation by arguing that four years is not enough time for presidential economic reforms to take effect. Adeleke’s state campaign council pledged 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun, while the Osun State chapter of the Accord Party and its state assembly candidates urged supporters to view the move through the lens of national interest. Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, speaking on behalf of Accord National and State House of Assembly candidates, assured that their political structures would be mobilized to ensure the president receives overwhelming support.
In the Southeast, Governor Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance accepted his role after having never hidden his desire to work for the incumbent president’s re-election. Meanwhile, FCT Minister Wike — a senior figure within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party serving inside the APC-led administration — maintained that his mobilization efforts aimed to rally Nigerians across party lines behind national goals rather than displace the ruling party’s internal structure.
Campaign Structure and Strategy Adjustments
The ruling party has scheduled its official campaign flag-off for October 24 in Kaduna State. Arewa Think Tank Convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu commended Governor Uba Sani for the preparations underway in Kaduna, noting the state’s strategic importance in the political landscape.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas warned lawmakers against abandoning their legislative duties for campaigns, reminding them that constituents elected them to serve a full term. Meanwhile, grassroots movements have also mobilized independently, with Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo and speaking through representative Kestin Pondi, unveiling 57 campaign vehicles in Lagos to urge residents to support Tinubu’s re-election.