2027: APC Chairman Tells Tinubu Campaign Council to Acknowledge Government’s Challenges

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged the party’s Presidential Campaign Council to acknowledge the challenges facing the Federal Government while highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s achievements ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Yilwatda made the call on Wednesday during his welcome address at the inauguration of the council at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“We have made so much progress but must acknowledge where we have challenges while explaining the objectives, progress and continuing work of the administration,” he said.

The APC chairman said the party’s campaign would be built around “a clear record, an honest assessment of the challenges and a credible vision for the future”. He added that the party would ask Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election because the administration’s reform agenda and development priorities deserved further consideration.

According to Yilwatda, the council must present the government’s case with evidence of progress, explain its policies clearly and provide a practical account of what remains to be achieved. He urged campaigners to focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the cost of living, insecurity, employment, education, healthcare, agricultural productivity and economic opportunities.

He also called on the campaign team to explain how the administration intended to address these concerns and listen to citizens’ expectations. Yilwatda said the government had pursued major economic reforms aimed at addressing longstanding structural challenges and laying a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.

On infrastructure, he listed roads, power and gas projects, railways, ports, agricultural facilities and digital connectivity as investments the campaign should communicate to voters. He stressed that campaigners must explain what had been completed, what remained in progress and how the projects and reforms could improve people’s daily lives.

Yilwatda acknowledged the opposition’s legitimate role in Nigeria’s democracy, saying the election should be a contest of ideas, records and policies conducted peacefully and with respect for citizens. He said the APC would defend its record with facts and allow Nigerians to make their choice through a credible democratic process.

The party chairman also called for stronger coordination among governors, legislators, party leaders and campaign officials across national, state, local government and ward structures. He emphasised the need for meaningful participation by women, greater engagement with young Nigerians as partners in shaping the country, and accessible campaign activities for persons with disabilities.

The APC constituted the Presidential Campaign Council on August 22, with Tinubu as chairman, Vice President Kashim Shettima as vice chairman, former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary. Yilwatda was named an additional vice chairman.

Yari had announced that the party’s campaign would be flagged off in Kaduna on October 24, followed by Port Harcourt in Rivers State and Maiduguri in Borno State. The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Those present at Wednesday’s inauguration included Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.