APC denies withdrawing 2027 presidential campaign council list

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that it withdrew its 2027 presidential campaign council list, describing the reports as fake news.

Felix Morka, the party’s national publicity secretary, told TheCable on Tuesday that the reports were mere rumours and said any changes to the list would be officially announced.

“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” Morka said.

“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is any reason to update it, it would be announced properly.”

The APC unveiled its presidential campaign council on Saturday, naming President Bola Tinubu as chairman and Vice-President Kashim Shettima as vice-chairman.

Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC national chairman, was also listed as vice-chairman, while Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Zamfara State, was appointed director-general. Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, was named secretary.

Other members include Betta Edu, former minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation; Ngozi Olejeme, former chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund board; Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service; and Taminu Yakubu, director-general of the Budget Office of the Federation.

The composition of the council has sparked controversy, particularly over the inclusion of serving public officials and individuals linked to corruption investigations.

Edu was suspended by Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial misconduct. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission subsequently investigated the matter, although the outcome has not been made public.

Olejeme is also being investigated by the EFCC over an alleged N1 billion money-laundering case.

Reports emerged on Monday that the ruling party had withdrawn the campaign council list to review some of the names.

However, when asked about complaints from some party members over the exclusion of prominent APC figures from the list, Morka said he was not the appropriate person to respond to such concerns.