The All Progressives Congress has rejected claims that it withdrew its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list.
National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka described the claims as rumours and fake news.
Morka spoke with journalists on Tuesday morning.
“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” he said.
“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is any reason to update it, it would be announced properly.”
The party released the campaign council list on Saturday through presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
President Bola Tinubu chairs the council. Vice President Kashim Shettima serves as Vice Chairman I. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda is Vice Chairman II.
Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari holds the position of Director-General. Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma is the Secretary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were named Deputy Directors-General.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun was listed as Director of Fundraising. Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji was named his deputy.
Budget Office of the Federation Director-General Taminu Yakubu was appointed Campaign Treasurer.
Former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Betta Edu appeared as Director of Women Mobilisation. Former NSITF board chairperson Ngozi Olejeme was named South-South Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilisation.
All Progressives Congress, APC
The list contains 108 members.
It immediately drew sharp reactions.
Critics questioned the inclusion of Edu and Olejeme. Both face separate EFCC investigations over financial allegations.
Edu was suspended from office in January 2024. The EFCC later opened an investigation into the matter. Olejeme is under probe over an alleged N1 billion money-laundering case.
The presence of serving public finance officials on a partisan campaign structure also attracted criticism. Some voices argued that mixing revenue management roles with campaign duties damages institutional neutrality.
Some party members raised concerns over the absence of key figures who played major roles in the 2023 campaign. These include Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Claims then circulated that President Tinubu had ordered a review of the list. Sources said the Presidency moved to address anomalies capable of embarrassing the campaign. The review, according to those claims, would focus on membership while leaving the top leadership positions of Chairman, Director-General and Secretary intact.
Other reports said Tinubu directed the Presidency, National Assembly leadership and the APC National Working Committee to reconstitute the council after concerns over exclusions and inclusions.
Those claims fuelled reports that the party had already withdrawn the original list.
Morka’s comments on Tuesday rejected those claims.
He made it clear that the party has not withdrawn the list. He added that any future adjustment would come through a formal announcement.
When asked about complaints from party members over omitted names, Morka said such concerns fall outside his remit.
The APC has not fixed a date for the formal inauguration of the council.
The original list released on Saturday remains the only version the party has made public.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied withdrawing the list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the reports as rumours.
The national spokesman of the party, Felix Morka, who made this rebuttal on Tuesday morning, noted that the APC would formally announce any changes to the campaign council list.
This came against the backdrop of reports that the party had withdrawn the list released amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Morka, while speaking to TheCable, however, stressed that there was no basis for the reports.
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“It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced,” he said.
DAILY POST reports that APC recently released the composition of its Presidential Campaign Council as part of preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with President Bola Tinubu seeking re-election.
The list generated reactions within the party and among stakeholders, with some members expressing concerns over the inclusion or exclusion of certain figures.
The development also fuelled speculation about possible adjustments to the composition of the campaign structure.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, has threatened to resist residents who intend to vote against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a video clip circulating on social media, Shekwolo said he would not allow anyone in the council to work against the APC or oppose President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The chairman cited the developmental projects of President Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in the area council as reasons residents should support the ruling party.
He vowed to use his office to resist opposition to the APC during the 2027 elections.
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According to him, “I have said in my area council that it’s either you are for the APC or you leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all.
“You know why? I cannot have the Minister and the President doing what they are doing, then on the day of the election, you will now say you want to match me. I will not agree.
“It’s either you are with us or you are against us.”