2027: Kwankwaso Faults Inclusion of Revenue, Budget Chiefs in APC Presidential Campaign Council

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the inclusion of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

ThelensNG reports that Adedeji will serve as the Deputy Director of Fundraising, while Yakubu will serve as the Secretary of Finance/Treasurer, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday.

Other members include President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, who will serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman I of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, respectively.

Similarly, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as Vice Chairman II, while former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, will serve as the Director-General of the campaign.

Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as Secretary of the campaign council, while APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary, respectively.

The Chairman of the campaign council, President Tinubu, will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa, among other members.

Reacting to the development, Kwankwaso noted that the council brings together what he described as 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?” he asked.

According to him, the 2027 election is 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 whose across the country, their 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,” he decried.

Kwankwaso stated that the ruling campaign structure presents another scenario between the oppressors and the oppressed, stressing that Nigerians must use the 2027 election to reject continued oppression and demand accountable, people-centred governance.

“If Osun people can do it, so can all other parts of the country,” he said, while appealing to Senator Yari to reconsider accepting the responsibility of serving as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

He explained that Yari, as a former governor of Zamfara State and a prominent leader from the North-West, has a clear understanding of the devastating consequences of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods in the region and the country at large.

“I therefore will be surprised if in his good conscience, will lead a campaign whose principal objective is to secure the continuation of a government under which many of the people he once governed, and other innocent Nigerians remain trapped in these challenges?

“There is also a serious institutional question concerning the inclusion of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, in the campaign’s fundraising and finance structures,” he remarked.

Kwankwaso emphasised that the leadership of critical public institutions demands neutrality, integrity and public confidence, questioning whether the responsibilities of senior officials entrusted with managing public revenue and national finances can appropriately coexist with senior partisan campaign roles.

The former Kano State governor further urged the Federal Government and the APC to explain how such arrangements are consistent with institutional neutrality and public trust.

He added that no campaign council is more powerful than the Nigerian people.