2027: Makinde appoints ex-aviation minister Hyat campaign DG

The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has appointed former Minister of State for Aviation, Felix Hassan Hyat, as Director-General of the National Campaign Management Committee of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The appointment was announced on Wednesday in a statement issued by Makinde’s Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Anthony Ehilebo.

Hyat, a former Kaduna State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, will oversee the national campaign management structure as the APM intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

Campaign leadership unveiled

Makinde also appointed former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Inna Ciroma, and Dr Anthony Aziegbemi as Deputy Directors-General for Administration and Operations respectively.

According to the campaign organisation, the appointments were made to bring together political strategists, administrators and mobilisers to coordinate its activities across the country.

The organisation said the team would work to promote its “Reset Nigeria” message as part of its campaign activities ahead of the election.

The appointments come as the Makinde/Daura campaign organisation continues its nationwide consultations and town hall meetings across the six geopolitical zones.

Full campaign structure

Other appointments announced by Makinde include Alhaji Hamza Akuyam Koshe as Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Barrister Mark Jacob as Director of Legal and Compliance, Dr Ade Adeagbo as Director of Administration and Strategy, and Hon Richard Ihediwa as Director of Strategic Communications.

Alhaji Yusuf Ismaila Alkali was appointed Director of Finance, while Dr Emmanuel Dennis will oversee Volunteers, Special Interests and Support Groups.

Alhaji Suleiman Hussaini Kankia was named Director of Security and Intelligence, with Hon Toyin Balogun appointed Director of Women Coordination.

Alhaji Umar Bida Ndabrama will serve as Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Documentation, while Comrade Armstrong Adah was appointed Director of Youth Coordination.

Adeyemi Moyegun was named Director of Organisation and Coordination, while retired Commissioner of Police Babangida Ayuba John was appointed Deputy Director of Security and Intelligence.

Campaign activities intensify

The appointments come as the APM campaign organisation steps up its consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.

The campaign had earlier announced zonal town hall meetings across the country, beginning with Katsina in the North-West on September 22, followed by engagements in Uyo, Lafia and Enugu.

The organisation said the meetings were designed to provide platforms for citizens and stakeholders to discuss national issues, particularly matters concerning national stability and the welfare of Nigerians.

Makinde has also presented the “Reset Nigeria” agenda as the central message of his presidential campaign, with issues including security, education, the economy and the socio-political environment featuring in his engagements with stakeholders.

More appointments expected

The campaign organisation said further appointments would be announced as it continues to build its national structure.

In the statement announcing the appointments, Makinde urged APM members, supporters and others who identify with the campaign’s “Reset Nigeria” message to remain committed to the party’s activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The latest appointments give the Makinde/Daura campaign a broader management structure covering mobilisation, communications, finance, security, legal affairs, women and youth coordination, strategy, administration and monitoring.

Hyat’s appointment as Director-General places him at the head of the campaign’s national management committee as the APM continues its preparations for the presidential contest.