The inclusion of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council has sparked discontent among some All Progressives Congress (APC) members, with critics questioning why politicians from other parties have been given key coordination roles while longstanding party loyalists feel sidelined.
The revised campaign council reportedly names Wike as coordinator for Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Soludo for Anambra State and Adeleke for Osun State. While supporters describe the appointments as an effort to build a broader coalition for Tinubu’s re-election bid, some APC stakeholders have raised concerns about party loyalty, internal recognition and the potential effect on grassroots mobilisation.
Key Highlights
- Wike, Soludo and Adeleke have reportedly been named state coordinators in Tinubu’s revised 2027 campaign council.
- Some APC members say the appointments sideline longstanding party loyalists.
- Adeleke’s inclusion has reportedly generated discontent among some Osun APC stakeholders, including supporters of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
- Critics warn that appointing politicians from other parties could create questions about loyalty and campaign coordination.
- Some Ebonyi APC stakeholders have reportedly faulted the inclusion of the three politicians.
- Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has defended the appointments as part of a broader coalition-building strategy.
- The effect of the appointments on APC unity and grassroots mobilisation remains uncertain ahead of the 2027 elections.
APC Members React to Wike, Soludo, Adeleke Appointments
The revised campaign council has generated reactions within the APC, with some members questioning the decision to assign key campaign responsibilities to politicians who have not formally joined the ruling party.
Reports cited by Sunday PUNCH indicate that some Osun APC stakeholders are unhappy with Adeleke’s appointment as the state coordinator, particularly because he defeated the APC candidate in the August 2026 governorship election.
Former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, is regarded by many party members as a major APC figure in the state. Some stakeholders reportedly feel that Adeleke’s elevation overlooks the contributions of party loyalists, while several senior APC figures have been assigned advisory roles or left out of key positions.
Similar concerns have reportedly emerged in Anambra and Rivers, where some APC members argue that the party has experienced local figures capable of coordinating the presidential campaign.
One anonymous APC source described the development as “causing disaffection and dampening the morale of our members”, warning that dissatisfaction could affect the commitment of some grassroots activists.
The comments reflect reported concerns among sections of the party rather than an established position shared by all APC members.
Why Adeleke’s Appointment Has Stirred Osun APC
Adeleke’s appointment has attracted particular attention because he belongs to the Accord Party, while the APC remains his party’s principal political rival in Osun State.
His nomination as Tinubu’s campaign coordinator in the state has reportedly been viewed by some APC stakeholders as a setback for party members who worked against him during the governorship election.
The concerns centre on whether the appointment recognises electoral influence at the expense of party loyalty and whether established APC leaders will retain sufficient authority over campaign activities in their own state.
However, Adeleke’s inclusion may also reflect the Presidency’s reported interest in securing support beyond the APC’s formal membership as it prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
The appointment does not, by itself, establish how Osun APC members will respond or whether the party’s grassroots structures will be weakened. That will depend on how responsibilities are shared and whether the leadership can manage the reported grievances.
Wike’s Role Raises Questions Over Rivers APC Structure
Wike’s appointment as coordinator for Rivers State and the FCT has also drawn scrutiny because he remains associated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite serving as a minister in Tinubu’s administration.
His influence in Rivers politics has made him an important figure in discussions about the presidential campaign. However, some APC members reportedly question why a politician from another party should lead coordination in a state where the APC has its own elected officials and established party structures.
Critics argue that the arrangement could create uncertainty over how presidential campaign activities will be coordinated alongside APC candidates contesting legislative and state-level elections.
The concern is particularly relevant where political alliances for the presidential election do not necessarily translate into cooperation at other levels of the ballot.
Wike’s appointment therefore highlights the distinction between building a cross-party coalition for a presidential candidate and maintaining the organisational authority of the party contesting other elections.
Soludo’s Inclusion Prompts Similar Concerns in Anambra
Soludo, the Anambra State governor and a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has also reportedly been appointed Tinubu’s campaign coordinator for the state.
Some APC stakeholders have questioned the decision, arguing that the party has members who could undertake the responsibility without assigning it to a governor from another political platform.
The inclusion nevertheless reflects the broader strategy of seeking support from influential political figures beyond the ruling party’s formal structure.
Whether the arrangement improves the APC’s reach in Anambra will depend on the extent of Soludo’s involvement, the cooperation of local APC structures and how the alliance relates to other contests taking place in the state.
Fear of Dual Loyalties and Anti-Party Activity
A major concern raised by critics is the possibility of competing political obligations.
Wike, Soludo and Adeleke remain associated with parties other than the APC. Those parties may field candidates against APC candidates in National Assembly, governorship and state assembly elections, even if their prominent members support Tinubu’s presidential bid.
Some APC stakeholders argue that this could complicate campaign coordination and create uncertainty about whether presidential support will translate into broader electoral cooperation.
Critics have also questioned whether assigning influential positions to politicians outside the party could weaken the incentive for APC members who have spent years building its structures.
In Ebonyi State, APC stakeholders have reportedly criticised the appointments, arguing that the party has enough members to coordinate its campaign and that politicians seeking formal roles within its structure should consider joining the party.
However, support for a presidential candidate does not automatically establish that a politician has abandoned their own party or will oppose its candidates in other elections. The practical consequences will depend on the arrangements made and the conduct of the individuals involved.
Read also:
- 2027 Elections: Ebonyi APC Criticises Tinubu’s Campaign Council Over Wike, Soludo, Adeleke Appointments
- Tinubu Support Group Hails Adeleke, Soludo, Wike For Backing President’s Re-Election Bid
- APC’s Selective Rally Map: Targeting 2023 Losses, Rival Bases While Bookending Campaign in Kaduna and Lagos
APC Leaders Defend Tinubu’s Coalition Strategy
Despite the reported discontent, some APC leaders have defended the appointments as a deliberate attempt to broaden support for Tinubu ahead of 2027.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has reportedly praised the inclusion of Wike, Soludo and Adeleke, describing the move as evidence of a coalition extending beyond the APC’s traditional membership.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also described the composition of the campaign council as unprecedented since 1999, according to reports.
Supporters of the arrangement argue that influential politicians from other parties could help the President reach voters and communities beyond the ruling party’s established base.
The strategy, however, places the APC leadership in a position where it must balance the pursuit of broader presidential support with the expectations of members who want party loyalty reflected in campaign appointments.
Will the Appointments Affect APC Unity Ahead of 2027?
The disagreement highlights a central challenge facing the APC as it prepares for the next presidential election: how to expand its political alliances without alienating members responsible for organising campaigns and mobilising voters at the grassroots.
If the appointments are managed through clear responsibilities and cooperation with existing party structures, they could facilitate wider coordination for Tinubu’s campaign. If the reported grievances remain unresolved, they could create tensions within local party organisations.
Neither outcome is inevitable. The impact will depend on how the campaign council operates, how state APC leaders are involved and whether the political arrangements extend beyond the presidential contest.
For now, the inclusion of Wike, Soludo and Adeleke has exposed competing priorities within Tinubu’s campaign: broadening support across party lines while maintaining the unity and motivation of the APC’s own membership.
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