Vice-presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has called on former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, to reconsider his decision to serve as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kwankwaso, in a statement issued on Sunday, described the composition of the APC campaign council as a clear indication that the 2027 election would be a contest between those seeking to retain the current administration and Nigerians demanding a change in leadership.
He argued that several members of the council had either supported, defended or actively participated in President Bola Tinubu’s administration, raising questions about whether the APC was offering a fresh political direction or seeking to extend the policies of the current government.
According to Kwankwaso, Nigerians are grappling with rising food prices, unemployment, insecurity, declining economic opportunities and growing difficulties faced by farmers and businesses.
He described the 2027 election as a struggle between ordinary Nigerians suffering the effects of economic hardship and political actors who, he alleged, had benefited from or defended the system responsible for the situation.
Kwankwaso therefore urged Nigerians to use the election to demand what he described as accountable, responsive and people-centred governance.
“If Osun people can do it, so can all other parts of the country,” he said.
Turning specifically to Yari, Kwankwaso appealed to the former governor to reconsider his decision to lead the APC presidential campaign, urging him to reflect on the consequences of the administration he would be campaigning to retain.
“I particularly appeal to my brother, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, who has accepted to serve as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, to reflect deeply and reconsider accepting this responsibility,” he said.
Kwankwaso noted that Yari’s experience as a former governor should give him an understanding of the challenges confronting the North-West, including insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods.
He questioned whether Yari could comfortably lead a campaign for the continuation of an administration under which many Nigerians, particularly in the region, continue to face those challenges.
The NNPP chieftain also questioned the reported involvement of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, and the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, in the campaign’s fundraising and finance structures.
He argued that officials heading critical public institutions must maintain neutrality and protect public confidence, particularly where public revenue and national finances are concerned.
Kwankwaso called on the Federal Government and the APC to explain how the participation of senior officials in partisan campaign structures could be reconciled with the principles of institutional neutrality and public trust.
Despite his criticism, he maintained that the final decision in 2027 would rest with voters.
“Ultimately, no campaign council is more powerful than the Nigerian people,” Kwankwaso said.
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