ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday met with governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the ruling party intensified consultations to resolve controversy surrounding its 2027 presidential campaign council list.
The meeting, which began shortly before 4 p.m., followed moves to review and rework the 223-member campaign list released by the APC on August 23.
The composition of the list had triggered controversy within the party, with some stakeholders alleging that key sections and interests were not adequately consulted before the names were announced.
The controversy was further fuelled by the inclusion of some party members facing corruption allegations, raising questions among stakeholders over the suitability of certain individuals for positions in the campaign organisation.
The APC governors arrived at the Presidential Villa after attending a separate National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Following the growing concerns, further consultations were initiated involving the President, APC governors and other party stakeholders, with the objective of producing a campaign structure acceptable to the various interests within the ruling party.
The initial list was subsequently removed from the APC’s X account amid the controversy, although party sources said consultations were continuing on possible adjustments.
However, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the campaign list remained valid, explaining that adjustments could still be made as several subcommittees of the campaign structure were yet to be constituted.
The latest meeting between the President and APC governors is expected to help resolve the disagreements surrounding the campaign council and pave the way for the finalisation of the party’s campaign structure.
The consultations come as the APC steps up preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party seeking to consolidate its political machinery ahead of the contest.
