APC-PCC Intensifies Consultations, Atiku Names Campaign Council, NDC Says Team Ready Soon

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PPC) intensified consultations with critical stakeholders over the week.

Led by its director-general, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, the APC-PPC held consultative meetings with Muslim Clerics across some states in the North Central, North West, and North East geopolitical zones.

The parley, which commenced in Jos, Plateau state, took Senator Yari and his team to Kano, Kaduna and Bauchi states, where he met with Muslim scholars -leaders of the Izala, Tijjaniyya, JIBWIS and Qadiriyya sects.

Yari and his team were received by Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, chairman of the Council of Ulama of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Jos, Plateau state.

In Bauchi, the delegation was received by Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru Bauchi, Khalifa of the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Zawiya, who prayed for President Tinubu and urged that dialogue between the state and the religious community be sustained rather than seasonal.

For Kaduna State, Senator Yari held lengthy deliberations with Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, national chairman of the Kaduna faction of JIBWIS, on various pressing national issues, including security, economic hardship, and how to sustain mutual trust in communities of diverse ethnic nationalities.

Sheikh Bala Lau commended Senator Yari for extending a hand of fellowship but admonished leaders at every level to listen more and speak to the people with sincerity.

In Kano, the APC-PCC and his team met with the leader of the Qadiriyya movement, Sheikh Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara, who offered special prayers for peace in Nigeria and for the success of the Council’s work.

The cleric encouraged the delegation to carry the message of unity to every corner of the country.

On the other hand, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, approved the composition of a National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee.

According to a statement by Atiku’s special assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who is also director, Strategic Communication of the ADC-PCC, the National Campaign Council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, with former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman.

The statement said the Senator representing Abia Central, Austin Akobundu, is the irector-general and Campaign Manager, who will work with deputy directors-general heading six major operational directorates and 30 directors, each assigned clearly defined responsibilities.

The deputy directors-general include: Yusuf Suleiman, administration; Ralph Nwosu, Operations; Dele Momodu, Media and Communications; Senator Dino Melaye, Contact and Mobilisation; Lauretta Onochie, Technical and Systems; and Salihu Tanko Yakasai, Diversity and Support Groups Directorate.

The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo state and pioneer APC national chairman, with former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa serving as deputy chairmen and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as Secretary.

The campaign spokespersons include Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala and Dahiru Maishanu.

Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said it is in active consultation with all relevant stakeholders to soon develop and inaugurate a robust Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

According to the NDC, its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, held several productive meetings with the party’s National Leader and leadership in that regard.

The NDC national publicity secretary, Osa Director, said to ensure inclusiveness, cohesion, and victory, the party at the national level has agreed that Obi and Kwankwaso will nominate the director-general of the Campaign, deputy director-general (North), the spokesman of the Campaign, deputy new media, the Finance director, deputy Finance director and several others in consultation with the party.

Meanwhile, APC candidates won four of the five by-elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Gombe, Kano, Bauchi and Delta states, while the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) secured one.

The successful APC candidates are Kallamu MaiJama’a, Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency in Gombe state; Husseini Datti, Dawakin Kudu State Constituency in Kano state; Okolosi Ator, Udu State Constituency in Delta state; and Yakubu Ali, Disina State Constituency in Bauchi state, while Adamu Yakubu of the APM won the Sakwa State Constituency seat in Bauchi state.

Political realignments and defections marked the week under review, with a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, joining the NDC barely three months after resigning from the ADC.

The former chieftain of both the APC and ADC was received into his new party by the National Leader of NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in Abuja.

Lawal, who declared support for the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general election, called on Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other challenges facing the country to support the party at the 2027 polls.

Dickson described the former SGF as a political mobiliser and activist with extensive experience in Nigerian politics, adding that he would oversee the party’s activities and campaigns in the North East.

Also, former governorship candidate of the ADC in Rivers State, Dr Tonte Ibraye, resigned from the party, citing an internal leadership crisis and concerns about the legitimacy of the party’s 2027 election ticket.

In a resignation letter dated 24 September 2026 and addressed to the ADC Ward Chairman in Degema Ward 16, Bille, Ibraye said recent developments within the party had made it difficult for him to continue as a member.

Furthermore, former youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Hon. ABM Jacob Alebura, led many members of the party into the Labour Party (LP).

Alebura, in a letter of intent to join the LP, said he has officially joined the party and registered as a full member in the Doma Local Government Area.

He had officially resigned from the PDP on September 19, 2026, citing marginalisation by party leaders and stakeholders, as well as the ongoing crisis.