ABUJA: The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that it withdrew its 2027 presidential campaign council list for review, describing the reports as rumours and fake news.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the clarification on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, while reacting to reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the list shortly after its unveiling.
Morka said the party had not withdrawn the list, adding that any decision to make changes would be formally communicated to the public.
According to him, reports suggesting that the APC had withdrawn the list should not be treated as confirmed information.
“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” Morka said.
He added that no new list was currently being issued but noted that any necessary adjustments would be properly announced by the party.
The clarification followed reports that the APC was reviewing some names contained in its newly constituted presidential campaign council amid complaints from some party members.
The ruling party had unveiled the council on Saturday as part of preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was named chairman of the council, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima was appointed vice-chairman.
APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, was also named vice-chairman, while former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General of the campaign council.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was named secretary.
Other prominent members listed include former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; former Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) board chairperson, Ngozi Olejeme; Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; and Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Taminu Yakubu.
The composition of the campaign council has, however, generated controversy, particularly over the inclusion of some serving government officials and individuals who have faced allegations or investigations.
Edu was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 over allegations of financial misconduct. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission subsequently investigated the matter, although the outcome of the investigation has not been publicly disclosed.
Olejeme is also facing an ongoing EFCC case over an alleged N1 billion money-laundering offence.
The controversy surrounding the campaign council intensified on Monday following reports that the APC had withdrawn the list to review some of the names.
However, Morka’s latest comments suggest that no such withdrawal has been formally announced by the party.
He also declined to comment extensively on complaints by some APC members over the exclusion of certain prominent party figures from the campaign council.
The development comes as the APC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election, with the party expected to mobilise its political structures across the country in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The ruling party’s campaign organisation is expected to play a key role in coordinating its national messaging, mobilisation and grassroots activities ahead of the presidential election.
