The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that it withdrew the recently announced Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the reports as rumours on Tuesday, insisting that there had been no official decision to withdraw the list.

Morka said any changes to the composition of the campaign council would be formally communicated by the party.

The clarification came less than 72 hours after the APC announced its presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general election.

The development had generated considerable attention within political circles, with questions emerging over the composition of the council and the inclusion or exclusion of several prominent party figures.

According to Morka, however, there is currently no new list replacing the one released over the weekend.

“Those are rumours. If there are any changes, we will announce them formally,” he said, according to reports of his Tuesday comments.

How the campaign council is structured

The campaign council announced by the APC is headed by President Bola Tinubu as chairman.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima was named vice-chairman, while APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda was also designated as a vice-chairman.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General of the campaign council, with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma serving as secretary.

APC National Secretary Ajibola Bashiru was named deputy secretary, while Hadiza Bala-Usman was appointed assistant secretary.

The structure also includes a number of senior party leaders and serving public officials across different directorates.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were assigned deputy director-general roles for the campaign in the southern and northern zones.

The campaign structure also gives a role to Senator Adams Oshiomhole in mobilisation, while President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was named deputy director-general for administration.

James Faleke, who played a significant role in the APC’s previous presidential campaign, was assigned responsibility for election planning, coordination and monitoring.

Reports of possible changes

The controversy surrounding the list intensified after reports emerged suggesting that the composition could be reviewed.

Some reports attributed the possible review to concerns about individuals included on the list, the absence of experienced campaigners and possible omissions.

One report claimed that the leadership of the council would remain intact while some members could be removed or replaced. Those reports, however, have not been confirmed by the APC.

The party’s public position remains that the list has not been withdrawn.

This distinction is important because the campaign council is expected to form the organisational backbone of Tinubu’s bid for another term.

Tinubu charges team with securing victory

When the council was announced, President Tinubu charged its members to work towards delivering victory for the APC in the 2027 election.

The State House said Tinubu also directed leaders of the various directorates to reach out to party members who were not formally listed but could contribute to the campaign.

The council is expected to coordinate the party’s mobilisation, media strategy, election planning, legal operations and outreach as the election approaches.

For now, the APC says the original list remains valid.

The party has urged members, supporters and the public to rely on official announcements rather than reports circulating through unofficial channels.

With the 2027 election increasingly becoming the focus of political activity, the composition of Tinubu’s campaign machinery is expected to remain closely watched by both supporters and opponents of the administration.