The appointment of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has received commendation from APC-aligned groups, who expressed confidence in his ability to mobilise support and deliver victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

Transparency Watch, a good governance and accountability group, described Yari’s appointment as well-deserved, citing his political experience, commitment and contributions to the affairs of the ruling party.

In a statement on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Cliff Richards, the group said Yari had demonstrated sufficient experience in governance and party politics to handle the responsibility.

The PUNCH reports that the Presidency on Saturday formally constituted the APC Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, naming Yari as Director-General, with Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively.

The APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, was also named Vice Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was appointed Secretary.

Transparency Watch said, “We are delighted to read of the appointment of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, the senator representing Zamfara West in the National Assembly, as the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.

“For us at Transparency Watch, who have been observing the activities of Yari both as governor and senator, the appointment does not come to us as a surprise.

“It is well deserved, considering the dedication, hard work and commitment that he has brought to bear in matters of governance and party politics. We congratulate Senator Yari on this.”

The group also commended Tinubu for entrusting Yari with the leadership of the campaign structure, describing the appointment as a demonstration of the President’s confidence in the senator.

It said Yari’s political experience, grassroots networks and financial capacity would be valuable to the APC as it prepares for the 2027 presidential election.

Transparency Watch further urged members of Yari’s campaign team and other APC stakeholders to support him in delivering the mandate entrusted to him.

Similarly, the North-Central APC Forum expressed confidence in Yari’s ability to deliver victory for Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 election.

The forum, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, congratulated Yari on his appointment and also hailed the selection of two other North-Central members, James Faleke and Okpokwu Ogenyi, into the campaign council.

Faleke, a member of the House of Representatives, was appointed Deputy Director-General, Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring, while Ogenyi was named North-Central Coordinator.

The forum said Tinubu made the right choice by appointing Yari to lead his re-election campaign, describing him as a politician widely accepted across the northern states.

“Senator Yari is a politician who is widely accepted across the northern states – North-East, North-West and North-Central.

“He is a respected leader who is regarded as a rallying point for progressives in the North and other parts of the country.

“He is someone who is respected and embraced by the Emirs and other political leaders, as well as religious leaders, the youths and women.

“Going by his track record, there is no doubt that he has what it takes to deliver victory for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in 2027,” the forum said.

The group said Yari’s appointment did not come as a surprise, noting that he had been investing his time and resources in mobilising support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Yari is the founder and leader of the Renewed Hope Network, a grassroots political mobilisation group focused on showcasing the achievements of Tinubu’s administration.

The senator, who represents Zamfara West, was elected governor of Zamfara State in 2011 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and re-elected in 2015 on the APC platform.

He was a founding member of the APC following the formation of the party through the merger of the ANPP and other opposition parties.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Yari represented Anka/Talata Mafara Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2011 and later succeeded former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in May 2015.

The North-Central forum also highlighted Yari’s experience in party administration, noting that he served as National Financial Secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party and chairman of the party in Zamfara State.

It pledged its support for the Presidential Campaign Council and promised to work with Ogenyi to mobilise six million votes for Tinubu across the North-Central states.

“We restate our commitment to Mr President’s election for a second term in office and in the same vein pledge our total support to the Presidential Campaign Council led by Senator Abdulaziz Yari.

“We will work with the council, especially the North-Central Coordinator, Okpokwu Ogenyi, to actualise our promise to deliver six million votes for Mr President in the North-Central in the 2027 election,” the forum said.

It also described Faleke and Ogenyi as experienced politicians capable of delivering on their respective responsibilities.

Faleke served as Secretary of the Presidential Campaign Council for the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 presidential campaign and was Tinubu’s agent during the APC presidential primaries for the 2023 election.

Ogenyi previously worked with Yari as leader of the Technical Committee of the Renewed Hope Network before he was appointed North-Central Coordinator of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council.