The Presidency has dismissed reports that the All Progressives Congress has withdrawn its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list, saying the list remains intact but could be adjusted to accommodate additional members.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made this clarification on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Dare was responding to reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the list following controversy over the inclusion and exclusion of some party leaders and political stakeholders.
He said the list remained valid, noting that the campaign structure was not yet complete as the various subcommittees were still to be constituted.
“As it is with every other list, there’s a room for subcommittees. Those subcommittees have not been formed, and so many other names will come into that subcommittee,” Dare said.
“So that list has not been withdrawn. The APC has issued a statement to that effect yesterday, that list stands. But of course, there will be adjustments. The list is not cast in stone, just like every other list.”
The APC had on Tuesday rejected reports that the campaign council list, announced over the weekend, had been withdrawn.
Under the announced structure, President Tinubu is chairman of the council, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, are vice chairmen.
Former Zamfara State Governor and Senator, Abdul’aziz Yari, was named Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was designated secretary.
Asked whether the list was being reviewed, Dare avoided the term, insisting that any changes would only be necessary adjustments.
“Not a review, just adjustments where necessary,” he said.
When pressed on whether the distinction meant the list was being reconsidered, the presidential aide said the expected changes would not amount to a comprehensive overhaul.
“Review is wholesale, this is not wholesale,” Dare said.
He explained that the yet-to-be-constituted subcommittees would create room for more party members and political stakeholders to participate in the campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.