2027: “Reconsider your role” — Kwankwaso urges Yari over Tinubu campaign

Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has appealed to former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, to reconsider his decision to serve as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

Mr Kwankwaso made the appeal in a statement on Sunday while reacting to the recently constituted APC campaign council, which has President Bola Tinubu as chairman and Senator Yari as Director-General.

Mr Kwankwaso questioned why Senator Yari, who previously governed Zamfara State, would lead a campaign seeking the continuation of the present administration despite what he described as persistent insecurity, poverty, unemployment and other challenges confronting Nigerians.

“I particularly appeal to my brother, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, who has accepted to serve as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, to reflect deeply and reconsider accepting this responsibility,” Mr Kwankwaso said.

He argued that Senator Yari, as a former governor and prominent leader from the North-West, was familiar with the effects of insecurity, poverty, displacement and destruction of livelihoods in the region.

“I therefore will be surprised if in his good conscience, will lead a campaign whose principal objective is to secure the continuation of a government under which many of the people he once governed, and other innocent Nigerians, remain trapped in these challenges?” he asked.

APC campaign council

The APC recently constituted its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, with President Bola Tinubu as chairman, Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, as vice-chairmen, while Senator Yari was named Director-General.

Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed secretary of the council.

Mr Kwankwaso described the composition of the council as reflecting the choice Nigerians would face in the 2027 election, questioning whether the APC was offering “a new beginning” or a continuation of the present system.

“The truth is, I see the 2027 election as a struggle between the oppressed Nigerian masses and those who have benefited from, defended and sustained the system responsible for their hardship,” he said.

Concerns over public officials in campaign structure

The NDC vice-presidential candidate also questioned the inclusion of senior public officials in the campaign’s fundraising and finance structures.

He specifically mentioned Mr Zacheus Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, who was named Deputy Director of Fundraising, and Mr Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, who was listed as Secretary, Finance/Treasurer.

Mr Kwankwaso said the involvement of officials responsible for public revenue and national finances in partisan campaign structures raised concerns about institutional neutrality and public trust.

He urged the APC and the Federal Government to explain how the arrangement was consistent with the responsibilities of the affected public institutions.

“No campaign council is more powerful than Nigerians”

Mr Kwankwaso maintained that the ultimate power in the 2027 election rests with the electorate.

“Ultimately, no campaign council is more powerful than the Nigerian people,” he said.

The appeal comes as major political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the APC moving to establish its campaign structure and opposition forces also positioning themselves for the contest.