Nigeria: Adjustments Over Campaign Council Not Failure of Consultation - APC

What the report says

The All Progressives Congress has said recent changes to the membership of its presidential campaign council should not be seen as a sign that the party failed to consult widely. Abimbola Tooki, media adviser to the APC national chairman, made the remarks on TrustTV’s morning programme, according to Daily Trust’s report from Abuja. He argued that revising the list after objections showed flexibility rather than weakness.

Tooki said the 2027 campaign structure was developed through broad discussion among party leaders and was not imposed by a single person. He maintained that the final lineup was intended to reflect different parts of the party, and defended the inclusion of ministers, agency heads and other political appointees. In his view, such officials remain APC members and can still take part in campaign work while carrying out government duties.

He also addressed questions about the presence of the Nigerian Railway Corporation chair in a fundraising committee, rejecting the idea that this would create an unfair advantage. On concerns that government resources might be used for partisan activity, Tooki said the party funds itself through membership dues and that public money is not used for political operations, as reported by Daily Trust.

The comments come amid broader debate in Nigeria about the role of political appointees in party politics and the boundaries between government office and campaign activity.