Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has appealed to former Zamfara State Governor Abdul’aziz Yari to reconsider his decision to serve as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Kwankwaso made the appeal on Sunday while reacting to the recently constituted APC campaign council, headed by President Bola Tinubu as chairman. Yari was appointed Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was named secretary.
In a statement, Kwankwaso described Yari as a political associate and prominent leader from the North-West who understands the challenges confronting communities in the region.
He specifically cited insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods, arguing that Yari’s experience as a former governor should give him a clear understanding of the difficulties faced by ordinary 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,” Kwankwaso said.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate questioned whether Yari could, in good conscience, lead a campaign seeking to retain a government that Kwankwaso says has failed to adequately address the hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
Kwankwaso framed the 2027 election as a contest between competing visions for Nigeria’s future, portraying his own political camp as representing Nigerians seeking accountable and people-centred governance.
He argued that the composition of the APC campaign council reflected the choice voters would face at the next presidential election: whether to support what he described as continuity of the current system or demand a different direction.
Kwankwaso also raised concerns about the participation of senior government officials in the APC campaign’s fundraising and financial structures.
He specifically questioned the inclusion of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi.
According to the APC campaign council structure, Adedeji was named Deputy Director of Fundraising, while Yakubu Kurfi was listed as Secretary, Finance/Treasurer.
Kwankwaso argued that officials responsible for managing public revenue and national finances must maintain institutional neutrality and public confidence.
He consequently challenged the government and the APC to explain how the involvement of such officials in partisan campaign structures could be reconciled with their responsibilities to the Nigerian state.
His intervention comes as the major political parties begin establishing campaign structures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The APC has already formally unveiled its campaign council, with Tinubu as chairman and Yari taking responsibility for the day-to-day coordination of the presidential campaign.
Yari, however, has shown no indication that he intends to withdraw from the position. Shortly after returning to Nigeria following an overseas trip, he was received by supporters at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and reaffirmed his commitment to the APC campaign.
Yari said the ruling party would fulfil its campaign promises and expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure re-election in 2027.
His response suggests that Kwankwaso’s appeal is unlikely to immediately alter the APC campaign structure.
The development nevertheless illustrates the increasingly competitive nature of the 2027 presidential contest, with opposition figures seeking to challenge the APC’s organisational strength and persuade influential politicians to reconsider their alignment with the ruling party.
Kwankwaso concluded his criticism by emphasising that the ultimate power rests with Nigerian voters, arguing that no campaign council is more powerful than the electorate.
With campaign structures now taking shape across the major political camps, the exchange between Kwankwaso and Yari provides an early indication of the political battles likely to dominate Nigeria’s road to the 2027 presidential election.
