Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has formally accepted his appointment as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, pledging to approach the assignment with seriousness, discipline and a commitment to unity.

Yari, who represents Zamfara West in the Senate and is a former governor of Zamfara State, was named DG as part of the campaign council unveiled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday. Blueprint reports

The senator, in a statement issued in Abuja, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the leadership of the APC for the confidence reposed in him, saying he was fully conscious of the responsibility attached to the position.

“I accept this responsibility with deep gratitude and full seriousness. My sincere thanks go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party for the trust placed in me, and to our party leadership for the confidence. I do not take it lightly,” Yari said.

His acceptance came shortly after the APC unveiled its presidential campaign structure for the 2027 election, with Tinubu serving as chairman and Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice chairmen.

‘Campaign is more than an election’

Yari said his new responsibility goes beyond coordinating a political campaign or simply seeking votes ahead of the election.

According to him, the campaign should provide an opportunity for the APC to engage Nigerians across the country and present its vision for the future.

He described it as “a conversation with the Nigerian people in every state, every language, every faith about the future we are building together.”

The former Zamfara governor pledged that the campaign would be conducted with discipline, unity and respect for Nigerians, regardless of their political affiliations.

His comments suggest an emphasis on broad-based engagement as the ruling party prepares to take its message to voters ahead of the January 2027 election.

Yari promises inclusive campaign

The APC campaign DG also stressed the need for every member of the party and other willing Nigerians to have a role in the campaign.

“The work begins immediately, and there is a place for everyone,” he said.

Yari called on Nigerians across different political leanings to support what he described as progress rather than division.

“To Nigerians of every political leaning, I say: choose progress over division. We will earn your confidence through our record, not noise,” he said.

The statement comes at a time when political parties and emerging coalitions are beginning to intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential contest.

For the APC, Yari will be responsible for coordinating the activities of a campaign council that brings together senior party leaders, governors, National Assembly leaders, ministers and other political stakeholders.

Tinubu, Shettima lead campaign council

Under the structure announced by the Presidency, President Tinubu will chair the campaign council, while Shettima and Yilwatda will serve as vice chairmen.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma was appointed secretary, while APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as deputy secretary and assistant secretary respectively.

A body of senior advisers will also support the council, including former APC National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were appointed deputy directors-general for the southern and northern campaign structures.

They will work with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau in coordinating the two broad regional blocs.

Campaign machinery takes shape

Other prominent figures were also assigned specific responsibilities within the campaign council.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as deputy director-general in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will oversee administration as deputy director-general.

James Abiodun Faleke, who played a key role in the APC’s 2022/2023 presidential campaign, has also returned to the campaign structure as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring.

The campaign council will also have dedicated directorates for legal affairs, media and strategic communication, election planning and new media.

The appointments are expected to provide the APC with a structured framework for coordinating its campaign activities across the six geopolitical zones.

‘We will deliver victory’

Yari ended his acceptance statement with a pledge to work towards securing victory for the APC and the Tinubu-Shettima ticket.

“By the grace of God, and with the effort of us all, we will deliver victory in January 2027,” he said.

His statement effectively marks the beginning of his assignment as head of the APC presidential campaign machinery.

The former governor brings years of experience in Nigerian politics to the role, having served as governor of Zamfara State and currently representing Zamfara West in the Senate.

As the campaign gathers momentum, Yari will have the task of coordinating the activities of the various directorates while working with party leaders and stakeholders to sell the administration’s record and secure support for Tinubu’s bid for another term.

For the APC, the immediate challenge will be to transform the newly constituted campaign council into an effective nationwide mobilisation structure.

For Yari, the assignment begins with a pledge to run a campaign built around unity, discipline, engagement and what he described as the party’s record in government.

The ultimate test will come at the polls in January 2027, when the APC will seek to retain the presidency for another four years.