Why Tinubu appointed Yari, unveiled geographically balanced APC Campaign Council

By Jude Opara

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu’s selection of former Zamfara State Governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director General (DG) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) reflects a strategic effort to consolidate political support across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

The appointments, announced in an official statement by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, highlight the administration’s campaign structure and strategic focus.

Key Rationale Behind Appointing Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director General brings deep northern political networks into the executive core of the campaign. As a two-term former governor of Zamfara State, former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and serving senator, Yari offers organizational capacity to coordinate campaign operations across the North West and broader northern electorates.

Naming Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Secretary of the Campaign Council secures leadership representation for the South East, facilitating cross-regional coordination between state governments and the central party structure.

Engaging Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni as Deputy Directors-General for Southern and Northern operations ensures direct alignment with the National Assembly and state executive structures.

Also, re-appointing Hon. James Abiodun Faleke as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination, and Monitoring retains institutional knowledge and operational execution from the 2023 campaign cycle.

Furthermore, iIncorporating elder statesmen—including Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa—provides intra-party reconciliation mechanisms and strategic guidance throughout the campaign process.

In outlining the council’s mandate, President Tinubu urged members to highlight the administration’s economic reforms and governance track record, emphasizing unity and structured outreach as the campaign season begins.