The All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, former Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and ex Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council.

The trio were assigned key positions under the council’s Sport Sector Mobilisation directorate, as the ruling party moves to strengthen its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Blueprint reports

Dikko was appointed Director, Sport Sector Mobilisation, while Shaibu was named Deputy Director, Sport Sector Mobilisation I and Yobo Deputy Director, Sport Sector Mobilisation II.

Their inclusion places three prominent figures with backgrounds in sports administration, politics and professional football at the centre of the APC’s efforts to mobilise support within Nigeria’s sporting community.

Dikko heads sport mobilisation

As Director of Sport Sector Mobilisation, Dikko will oversee the campaign council’s engagement with athletes, sports administrators, coaches, clubs, associations and other stakeholders across the country.

The NSC chairman has extensive experience in Nigerian football administration and has previously played prominent roles in the development and management of the domestic game.

His appointment gives him responsibility for coordinating the sport sector component of the campaign structure and mobilising support for Tinubu and the APC within the sector.

Shaibu gets deputy role

Shaibu, a former professional footballer and former deputy governor of Edo State, was appointed Deputy Director, Sport Sector Mobilisation I.

The appointment adds a political dimension to the sports mobilisation directorate, given Shaibu’s experience in both sports and government.

He currently serves as Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), having been appointed to the position by President Tinubu.

His role in the campaign council is expected to involve supporting Dikko in coordinating mobilisation and engagement across the sporting community.

Yobo joins campaign structure

Former Super Eagles captain Yobo was named Deputy Director, Sport Sector Mobilisation II.

The former Everton, Fenerbahçe and Norwich City defender brings a distinguished football career and significant visibility among Nigerian football followers to the campaign structure.

Yobo captained Nigeria at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and was also part of the Super Eagles team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

His appointment is expected to strengthen the campaign’s engagement with current and former footballers, athletes and young Nigerians interested in sports.

President Tinubu will serve as Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as Vice Chairmen I and II respectively.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was named Director General of the campaign council, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma will serve as Secretary.

The council has directorates covering several sectors and areas, including youth and women mobilisation, education, manufacturing and MSMEs, extractive industries, faith based mobilisation, security and intelligence, data management, stakeholder mobilisation, support group coordination and community support mobilisation.

Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was named Director of Stakeholders’ Mobilisation, while former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, and other prominent APC figures were also assigned responsibilities within the campaign structure.

Sports takes centre stage

The creation of a dedicated Sport Sector Mobilisation directorate reflects the growing importance of sports as a tool for youth engagement and grassroots mobilisation.

With Dikko as director and Shaibu and Yobo as his deputies, the directorate is expected to establish contact with stakeholders across Nigeria’s sporting landscape and mobilise support for the Tinubu and Shettima ticket.

The appointments also bring together three individuals with different but complementary experiences in sports, politics and administration.

As the 2027 election approaches, the APC is expected to deploy the campaign council across the country to consolidate support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and strengthen the party’s grassroots structures.