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As the 2027 general elections approach, political parties are gearing up for the contest, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to retain the presidency and strengthen its hold across the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened the 2027 electioneering season, paving the way for political parties to roll out their manifestoes, campaign programmes and promises to the electorate.

Against this backdrop, the APC on Saturday unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election, with 14 serving governors assigned various portfolios and responsibilities aimed at mobilising support and delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, for a second term.

The governors and their respective roles are:

Deputy Director-General, North I — Mai Mala Buni

Mai Mala Buni, born on November 19, 1967, is the Governor of Yobe State. He has served as governor since 2019 and previously served as National Secretary of the APC.

Buni was re-elected governor in the 2023 governorship election, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sheriff Abdullahi.

Before venturing fully into elective politics, Buni was involved in business and served on the boards of several companies.

Secretary — Hope Uzodimma

Hope Uzodimma, born on December 12, 1958, is the Governor of Imo State and a prominent APC leader.

He became governor in January 2020 after the Supreme Court declared him the winner of the 2019 Imo State governorship election, overturning the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP.

Uzodimma was re-elected governor in the 2023 election and has also served as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, the umbrella body of APC governors.

Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-South — Bassey Otu

Bassey Edet Otu, popularly known as Sweet Prince, is the Governor of Cross River State.

He previously represented Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and later served as Senator representing Cross River South between 2011 and 2015.

During his legislative career, Otu chaired committees covering petroleum resources and finance, among others. He was also appointed to the board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2018.

Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-East — Peter Mbah

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is the Governor of Enugu State. A lawyer, financial analyst and businessman, he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd.

Before becoming governor, Mbah served as Chief of Staff and later Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Enugu State.

He was elected governor on the platform of the PDP in 2023 but defected to the APC in October 2025, alongside several political leaders and stakeholders in the state.

Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-West — Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has served as Governor of Lagos State since 2019.

He emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2018 and defeated the incumbent, Akinwunmi Ambode, at the party’s primary election.

Sanwo-Olu won the 2019 governorship election and was re-elected in 2023. Before becoming governor, he served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation.

Zonal Campaign Coordinator, North-Central — Umar Bago

Mohammed Umar Bago is the Governor of Niger State, having assumed office in May 2023.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Bago represented Chanchaga Federal Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.

He emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Niger State ahead of the 2023 election and defeated his closest rival, Isah Liman Kantigi of the PDP.

Zonal Campaign Coordinator, North-West — Uba Sani

Uba Sani is the Governor of Kaduna State and a former senator representing Kaduna Central.

He began his political career in the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and later served in advisory roles at the federal and state levels.

Sani was elected senator for Kaduna Central in 2019 and emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2022. He won the 2023 governorship election, defeating the PDP candidate, Isa Ashiru.

Director, Finance/Treasurer — Sheriff Oborevwori

Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori is the Governor of Delta State.

He previously served as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, representing Okpe Constituency, before emerging as the PDP governorship candidate and winning the 2023 election.

Oborevwori defected to the APC in April 2025 alongside several political leaders in Delta State. The APC subsequently adopted him and President Tinubu as its preferred candidates for the 2027 elections in the state.

Deputy Director, Finance/Treasurer I — Ahmed Usman Ododo

Ahmed Usman Ododo is the Governor of Kogi State and a member of the APC.

Before becoming governor in 2024, he served as Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, where he oversaw the auditing of local government accounts.

Ododo is an accountant by profession and studied at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Director, Fundraising — Dapo Abiodun

Dapo Abiodun is the Governor of Ogun State and a member of the APC.

A businessman and accountant, Abiodun served as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission before becoming governor in 2019.

He won the 2019 governorship election and was re-elected in 2023. Before his political career, he held leadership positions in several companies, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

Director, Labour Union Relations — Nasir Idris

Nasir Idris is the Governor of Kebbi State and a former labour leader.

He previously served as President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Idris emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Kebbi State ahead of the 2023 election and was declared winner of the poll by INEC.

Zonal Coordinator, Stakeholders’ Mobilisation, North-East — Inuwa Yahaya

Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is the Governor of Gombe State and has served in that position since 2019.

A former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Gombe State, Yahaya also has extensive experience in the private sector.

He won the 2019 governorship election and was re-elected in 2023, defeating the PDP candidate, Muhammad Jibrin Barde.

Stakeholders’ Mobilisation — Umo Eno

Umo Bassey Eno is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Before becoming governor, he served as Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in the state and was involved in business and ministry work.

Eno won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the PDP but defected to the APC in June 2025.

Stakeholders’ Mobilisation — Dauda Lawal

Dauda Lawal is the Governor of Zamfara State.

A banker and former Executive Director, Public Sector North, at First Bank of Nigeria, Lawal won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the PDP, defeating the incumbent, Bello Matawalle of the APC.

His victory was significant as it marked the first time the PDP won a governorship election in Zamfara State since the return to democracy in 1999.

Lawal’s inclusion in the APC campaign council follows his subsequent political realignment and the broader expansion of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.

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The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, made the call in a post on X, arguing that Atiku’s decision to step aside could strengthen the opposition’s chances of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.

Agada said Atiku’s withdrawal would not diminish his political legacy, but could instead help unite opposition forces behind Obi.

“AA is a good and solid man, but he needs to give it up at this point,” Agada wrote. “His idea for a working Nigeria is brilliant but at this point, he needs to give up his ambition.”

He added that Atiku should support Obi “to kick the APC out,” while praising the former vice president’s character, vision and contribution to Nigerian politics.

The call comes after Atiku declared that the 2027 presidential election would be the final time he would contest for the presidency, regardless of whether he wins or loses.

The former vice president has remained a major figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics, having contested the presidency several times.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has directed its candidates for the 2027 general elections to begin consultations, sensitisation and grassroots campaigns as preparations intensify for the polls.

The party also announced plans to inaugurate its various campaign committees as it prepares for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director.

Director urged candidates to work with party stakeholders at the national, state and local levels in organising their campaign activities.

The party said the campaigns would be used to introduce its candidates to voters, strengthen its grassroots structures and communicate its message to Nigerians as a grassroots-oriented political organisation.

“To all candidates, we are directing that they begin their familiarisation, sensitisation and consultations. Similarly, local campaign events can now continue,” the statement said.

The NDC also instructed its state, local government and ward structures to prepare schedules for their respective campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The party will soon release the composition of its campaign organs, which will be announced and inaugurated on a date to be announced,” it stated.

“We direct all candidates across the country to begin their campaigns. State chapters, local government chapters and down to the wards, should organise and draw up itinerary for their own local campaigns,” the party added.

While urging its members to intensify their engagement with voters, the NDC cautioned candidates and supporters against violence, abusive language and inflammatory rhetoric.

The party said its campaign would be based on issues affecting Nigerians and that it would not tolerate violent conduct from its members.

“In keeping with the ideology of NDC, the party reiterates that all campaigns must be issue-based and devoid of violence and foul language. The NDC has no room for violence,” the statement said.

The party also addressed the use of its logo during the ongoing preparations for the elections, directing candidates and members to continue using its existing logo featuring the two-finger victory sign for campaign purposes.

The NDC said it had consulted with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on a modification to its logo and had formally informed the electoral body of the change.

However, it said some administrative issues were still being resolved before the new logo could officially replace the existing one.

“For some reasons, however, there have been some administrative details which we’re working round the clock to resolve before the existing logo would be replaced with the modified version,” the party stated.

It added, “Until then, however, we enjoin all our candidates and members to continue to use the old logo, which is also the two-finger victory sign, for campaign purposes for now, pending the conclusion of all engagements and arrangements with INEC on the replacement.”

Earlier, the party’s presidential candidate, Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi formally announced the commencement of his 2027 campaign.

The former governor said he was motivated by the need to address the challenges facing Nigerians.

Obi said he was joining the presidential contest with the conviction that Nigeria could overcome its current difficulties if properly governed.

“I consider myself to be among those contesting to address the challenges Nigeria is currently facing. I join this contest with one firm conviction: Nigeria must work,” Obi said.

He also called for the 2027 election to be based on the competence and character of candidates rather than religion or ethnicity.

“The 2017 election must be guided by competence, capacity, compassion, character and commitment,” Obi said.

“Our campaign will focus on the urgent concerns of Nigerians and not on ethnicity or religion. Nigerians must reject and disregard any campaign driven by propaganda, ethnicity, religion or cronyism,” he added.

Obi said he and his team would travel across the country to engage Nigerians directly, listen to their concerns and develop policies around their experiences.

“As my team and I travel across the country, we will listen to Nigerians, understand their needs and concerns, and assure them that we have the competence, character and compassion to lead and reset Nigeria for the benefit of all,” he said.

He identified insecurity, poverty, hunger, poor education, the growing number of out-of-school children and inadequate healthcare among the major challenges that the next administration must address.

“Nigeria deserves leaders who will engage with them, listen to their concerns and present clear solutions to unite the country, defeat insecurity, lift people out of poverty, drastically reduce hunger and the number of out-of-school children, improve education and healthcare, and build growth that serves everyone, especially the most vulnerable,” Obi said.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has criticised Obi’s campaign launch as a “content creation press conference.”

The remark was made by the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, Daniel Bwala.

Bwala, in a post on X, accused Obi of failing to use the opportunity to clearly present his vision and mission to Nigerians.

“One candidate just did a world content creation press conference with empty rhetorics and unconvincing statements speaking to few recognizable media outlets and many unrecognizable fake news ‘tags on the mics,’” Bwala wrote.

He added, “He missed the opportunity to define his vision and mission; he was sounding like he is INEC setting the rules of engagement.”

Bwala further stated, “The truth is you cannot give what you don’t have.”