Tinubu Unveils APC Campaign War Machine, Orders Yari-Led Team to Block ‘Forces of Backwardness’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally activated the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign machinery for the 2027 election, placing himself at the helm and charging his political troops to defeat what he described as forces seeking to take Nigeria backwards. The assignment has now landed on a formidable political table, with Senator Abdulaziz Yari appointed Director-General, Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda as vice chairmen, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as secretary.

The timing is hardly accidental. Presidential and National Assembly campaigns officially began on August 19, putting Nigeria firmly into election season ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential poll.

APC Opens Campaign Political War Room as Yari Takes Command

Yari, a former Zamfara governor and serving senator representing Zamfara West, has accepted the Director-General position, effectively becoming the man expected to coordinate the ruling party’s campaign engine. His appointment comes with a long list of political heavyweights, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, governors and other senior party figures occupying strategic deputy director-general positions.

Tinubu’s instruction that the team should “soundly defeat” forces seeking to take Nigeria backwards has given the campaign a suitably dramatic battlefield vocabulary. In political language, of course, “backwards” is now one of those wonderfully flexible words: one side’s backward Nigeria may be another side’s Nigeria waiting to be rescued. The real referee will eventually be the electorate, whose votes cannot be persuaded by campaign slogans alone.

Opposition Coalition Gives APC Extra Reason to Polish Its Megaphone

The APC’s mobilisation effort comes as opposition politicians continue attempts to build a common platform against Tinubu. Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Seyi Makinde and others have been involved in discussions aimed at greater opposition cooperation, although previous coalition efforts have suffered disagreements and defections.

That fragmented opposition is one of the political realities facing the APC. But Nigerians are also watching the ruling party’s record, particularly the effects of economic reforms, insecurity and the cost of living. Recent reporting indicates that while the government points to economic reforms and investment confidence, many citizens remain deeply concerned about their purchasing power and security.

The political comedy, therefore, is already writing itself: APC says it is preparing to defeat backwardness; the opposition says it is preparing to defeat APC; politicians are preparing campaign speeches; and Nigerians are preparing to listen carefully to everybody before deciding who deserves the ballot. The 2027 contest has only just entered its campaign phase, so OGM News NG will be watching closely as promises become louder, alliances become more complicated and the real political battle begins to take shape.