Felix Morka, national publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed reports that the party withdrew its 2027 presidential campaign council list.

Speaking with TheCable on Tuesday morning, Morka described the reports as rumours, saying any changes to the list would be formally announced.

“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” Morka said.

“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is any reason to update it, it would be announced properly.”

BACKGROUND

On Saturday, the APC unveiled its presidential campaign council list, with President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima named chairman and vice-chairman, respectively.

Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman, was also named vice-chairman, while Abdulaziz Yari, former Zamfara governor, was appointed director-general, and Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor and chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, was named secretary.

Betta Edu, former minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation; Ngozi Olejeme, former chairperson of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) board; Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS); and Taminu Yakubu, director-general of the Budget Office of the Federation were also listed as members of the campaign council.

The composition of the council has generated controversy, particularly over the inclusion of some serving public officials and individuals facing corruption allegations.

Edu was suspended by Tinubu in January 2024 over allegations of financial malfeasance. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently investigated the matter, although the outcome of the probe has not been made public.

Olejeme is facing an ongoing EFCC probe over an alleged N1 billion money-laundering offence.

On Monday, reports swirled that the ruling party had withdrawn the list to review some of the names.

When asked about complaints from some party members over the absence of prominent APC figures from the list, Morka said he was not the appropriate person to address such concerns.

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