Tinubu Inaugurates APC Campaign Council, Urges Members to Secure 2027 Re-election

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election, urging party leaders and members to unite behind his re-election bid while ensuring that governance does not suffer.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Tinubu said the party must work together to secure victory at the polls, stressing that its members would be judged by their ability to deliver votes across their respective wards and local government areas.

He expressed confidence in the campaign council but reminded members that their previous electoral successes would only count if they could deliver again in 2027.

Tinubu also acknowledged advice from Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, who urged him not to allow campaign activities to distract him from his presidential responsibilities.

The President said his administration would continue working to meet its obligations, attract investment and address the needs of Nigerians, even as the APC intensifies its political mobilisation.

He urged campaign council members to engage voters responsibly and explain the policies and programmes of his administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Shettima, APC leaders defend Tinubu’s record

Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Tinubu’s leadership and his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development. He also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his comments about the presidency and faulted National Democratic Movement presidential candidate Peter Obi for what he described as misleading statistics and comparisons with other countries without sufficient context.

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said the campaign council would take the President’s message to communities across the country, urging members to communicate the administration’s policies and achievements clearly.

He said the campaign should focus on the government’s record, an honest assessment of the country’s challenges and its plans for the future. He also called for a peaceful election centred on ideas, policies and performance.

Uzodimma, who serves as secretary of the campaign council, defended the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and changes to the foreign exchange system.

He acknowledged that the measures had caused hardship for some Nigerians but argued that they were necessary to address longstanding economic problems.

The governor also cited tax reforms and economic growth as evidence that the administration’s policies were beginning to produce results.

Adeleke, Soludo and Wike pledge support

Goodwill messages at the event came from Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, who expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Adeleke drew cheers from attendees with his trademark dance moves, while Wike said he supported the President because, in his view, Tinubu had shown the political will to confront problems previous administrations had left unresolved.

Wike also challenged governors to work towards delivering their states for the APC presidential candidate in 2027.

Other speakers who called for support for Tinubu’s second-term bid included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs Ibrahim Kabiru Masari and elder statesman Tanko Yakassai.

The inauguration marks a major step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party seeking to build on its current administration’s record and mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election.