The presidential running mate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has said the 2027 election is between oppressed Nigerians and those responsible for their oppression.

Kwankwaso made the remark while faulting the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a statement he signed, the former Kano State governor wondered if members of the council signified a new beginning or the continuation of hardship for Nigerians.

According to Kwankwaso, “I have taken note of the recently constituted APC Presidential Campaign Council, whose composition offers Nigerians a clear picture of the choice before us in the 2027 general election.

“The council brings together many of the same political actors who have supported, defended or participated in the present administration.

“Their coming together raises a fundamental question: what exactly are they asking Nigerians to vote for in 2027: a new beginning or the continuation of the same system that has brought severe hardship to our people?

“The truth is, I see the 2027 election as a struggle between the oppressed Nigerian masses and those who have benefited from, defended and sustained the system responsible for their hardship.

“It is concerning to all well-meaning Nigerians that across the country, families are struggling with the rising cost of food and basic necessities.

“Young Nigerians face unemployment and diminishing opportunities. Farmers and businesses are struggling to survive, while millions continue to live with insecurity. Our education, healthcare and other essential public services remain under enormous pressure.”

Two former governors, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, convicted for looting multi-billion naira public state funds are among those appointed as members of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council. 

The appointment of Messrs Dariye and Nyame among others was announced in a statement by presidentialspokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday.

The duo will serve as contact mobilisation division for Mr Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Mr Nyame, 70, a former governor of Taraba State between 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2018 over fraudulent diversion of N1.64 billion of state fund when he was in office. 

Mr Nyame was however pardoned by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2022, after serving four years of his jail sentence.

Also in 2021, a former governor of Plateau State, Dariye, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for looting about N2 billion state fund. He also got a presidential pardon in 2022 during the regime of the late Mr Buhari. 

Mr Onanuga quoted Mr Tinubu, in the statement as charging the appointees to put in their best efforts to soundly defeat his challengers.

He stated, “We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians.”

“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.”

On Saturday, the Peoples Gazette reported that two women, Ngozi Olejeme, a former board chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Betta Edu, a former humanitarian affairs minister, fingered in over N1billion fraud, were also appointed as members of Mr Tinubu’s campaign council.

While Olejeme is to serve as zonal director, election planning coordination and mobilisation, South-South, Ms Edu would serve as director women mobilisation.

While Ms Olejeme is facing trial for N1billion fraud, Ms Edu is under investigation over alleged diversion of N585 million into private account, a development that led to her sack by Mr Tinubu in 2024.