APC denies withdrawing presidential campaign council list

Felix Morka, national publicity secretary of the All
Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed reports that the party withdrew its
2027 presidential campaign council list.

 

Speaking with TheCable on Tuesday morning, Morka described
the reports as rumours, saying any changes to the list would be formally
announced.

“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours,
that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” Morka said.

“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is
any reason to update it, it would be announced properly.”

BACKGROUND

On Saturday, the APC unveiled its presidential campaign
council list, with President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima
named chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.

Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman, was also named
vice-chairman, while Abdulaziz Yari, former Zamfara governor, was appointed
director-general, and Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor and chairman of the
Progressive Governors Forum, was named secretary.

Betta Edu, former minister of humanitarian affairs and
poverty alleviation; Ngozi Olejeme, former chairperson of the Nigeria Social
Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) board; Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the
Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS); and Taminu Yakubu, director-general of the
Budget Office of the Federation were also listed as members of the campaign
council.

The composition of the council has generated controversy,
particularly over the inclusion of some serving public officials and
individuals facing corruption allegations.

Edu was suspended by Tinubu in January 2024 over allegations
of financial malfeasance. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
subsequently investigated the matter, although the outcome of the probe has not
been made public.

Olejeme is facing an ongoing EFCC probe over an alleged N1
billion money-laundering offence.

On Monday, reports swirled that the ruling party had
withdrawn the list to review some of the names.

When asked about complaints from some party members over the
absence of prominent APC figures from the list, Morka said he was not the
appropriate person to address such concerns.

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