ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, officially inaugurated the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election during the federation general assembly held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony themed “Renewed Hope, Cooperative Federalism and Shared Prosperity,” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu asked the council to excuse him from nationwide campaign tours so he could concentrate fully on governance responsibilities. Golden Info reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared he would not allow election activities to derail his administration’s governance priorities and policy execution.
The event gathered prominent political figures, including opposition leaders who publicly declared their backing for the administration’s re-election bid. Among those in attendance were Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Addressing the assembled council members, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated, “You have warned me and asked me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance. I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now than ever before. The responsibility of this office does not pause.” He added, “The job must go on. However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas, so you will excuse me from going everywhere with you. We have bills to pay. The creditors cannot wait.”
Key government officials present at the assembly included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, All Progressives Congress National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum Hope Uzodimma. During his address, Vice President Kashim Shettima criticized key opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, faulting their economic proposals and statistical claims.
Delivering remarks on behalf of opposition leaders supporting the administration, Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo noted that the assembly reflected a historical political consensus across state leaders. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike stated he would head campaign efforts in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, pledging to deliver both territories for the ruling party’s presidential candidate.
In response to the inauguration, the presidential campaign organization of Atiku Abubakar, speaking through spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, criticized the event, asserting that using the State House Conference Centre for a political party gathering constituted a misuse of public resources. Similarly, the Allied Peoples Movement campaign council for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, issued a statement describing the political alliance as unable to resolve ongoing national economic challenges.
The political lineup for the ruling party’s presidential team was initially established on May 24, 2026, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the primary election with 10,900,000 votes across 8,809 wards, before reconfirming Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate on July 10, 2026. The campaign council structure, first announced on August 22, 2026, features President Bola Ahmed 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.