2027 Race: Tinubu, Atiku, Obi Intensify Campaign Plans as Ex-Governors Emerge as Top DG Contenders
BY FRONTLOINE REPORTERS
With less than two weeks before the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential election, Nigeria’s major political parties have intensified consultations over the composition of their campaign organisations, with experienced former governors emerging as the leading contenders for the influential position of Director-General (DG).
The battle to assemble formidable campaign structures has gathered momentum following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) announcement that presidential campaigns will officially begin on August 19, shifting the country’s political landscape from candidate selection to full-scale electioneering.
At the centre of the high-level political calculations are President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party flag bearer Peter Obi, and other opposition leaders, all racing to put in place campaign teams capable of delivering victory at the polls.
APC Weighs Uzodimma, Al-Makura for Tinubu’s Campaign
Within the ruling APC, consultations have narrowed to two prominent political figures—Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura—as leading contenders to head President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign organisation.
Highly placed party and Presidency sources disclosed that although no final decision has been reached, Uzodimma currently enjoys considerable support among influential stakeholders within the party.
According to insiders, the APC leadership is carefully balancing several factors, including political experience, organisational ability, regional considerations and religious inclusiveness before settling on its campaign chief.
Party strategists believe the Director-General’s office will be critical in coordinating what is expected to be the country’s largest campaign operation, considering the APC’s extensive political structures across the federation and its control of the Federal Government.
Beyond supervising nationwide mobilisation, the campaign DG will coordinate fundraising efforts, manage media messaging, harmonise campaign councils across the six geopolitical zones and oversee relationships with governors, ministers, lawmakers and party leaders.
Sources further revealed that Uzodimma’s growing profile within the APC is strengthened by his current position as Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and his close political relationship with President Tinubu.
Political observers also note that appointing Uzodimma, a Christian from the South-East, could help reinforce the party’s message of inclusiveness following the controversies that surrounded the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 election.
Tambuwal Leads Race to Direct Atiku’s Campaign
On the opposition front, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), now serving as the platform for a broad opposition coalition, appears close to settling on former Sokoto State Governor and serving Senator Aminu Tambuwal as Director-General of Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Organisation.
Party sources familiar with ongoing consultations disclosed that Tambuwal has emerged as the clear favourite for the position, subject only to formal ratification by the party leadership.
Should the appointment be confirmed, Tambuwal would reprise the role he played during the 2023 presidential election when he successfully directed Atiku’s presidential campaign under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Party insiders believe his extensive political network, experience as former Speaker of the House of Representatives, two-term Governor of Sokoto State and serving Senator make him one of the most qualified politicians to coordinate the opposition’s nationwide campaign.
He is also expected to work closely with Atiku’s running mate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who will spearhead nationwide mobilisation while Tambuwal oversees campaign strategy and political coordination.
ADC officials confirmed that consultations remain ongoing, with a final announcement expected after the party leadership concludes internal deliberations.
Labour Party Finalising Campaign Structure
The Labour Party has also intensified preparations ahead of the August 19 campaign kick-off.
National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa confirmed that the party already has a campaign Director-General but has deliberately delayed the official unveiling until its entire campaign organogram is completed.
According to him, the Labour Party intends to build its nationwide campaign around the institutional strength of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), leveraging their grassroots presence across Nigeria’s 186,000 polling units.
Party officials expressed confidence that the labour movement would provide an extensive nationwide structure while significantly reducing campaign costs through volunteer participation.
SDP, NNPP Also Fine-Tune Campaign Teams
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) are equally putting finishing touches to their campaign organisations.
SDP National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba disclosed that the party had already concluded its strategic plans and would soon unveil what he described as a formidable campaign structure to support the presidential bid of Adewole Adebayo.
Similarly, NNPP National Chairman Major Agbo confirmed that nominations for the party’s campaign council were being finalised, with the National Working Committee expected to approve the list before making it public.
The NNPP said its campaign strategy would focus heavily on grassroots mobilisation through community meetings, town halls and traditional voter engagement methods rather than expensive media-driven campaigns.
High-Stakes Appointment
Political analysts say the choice of campaign Director-General has become one of the most strategic decisions for every presidential candidate.
Beyond coordinating campaign logistics, the DG serves as the chief political strategist responsible for nationwide mobilisation, fundraising, media coordination, stakeholder engagement and ensuring that the candidate’s message reaches voters across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
With President Tinubu seeking a second term and opposition parties determined to mount a formidable challenge to the APC’s dominance, the calibre of individuals eventually appointed to head the various campaign organisations could significantly influence the intensity, organisation and outcome of the 2027 presidential contest.
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