All Progressives Congress, APC recently released its Presidential Campaign Council list which is generating so much controversy putting a spanner in the wheel of progress of the ruling party’s intent of retaining power at the centre come 2027.
While some view the composition as pure political and should be devoid of any contestation, others claim it may compromise the APC’s moral standing.
In fact, the list of members of the APC presidential campaign council has generated so much reaction like no other since the commencement of the fourth Republic in 1999.
The reactions may have become so worrisome that President Tinubu himself is reportedly considering a review of the list.
There are claims that the list is without depth and lacks personalities that can dig deep when the going gets tough as well as individuals that can properly articulate programmes and intentions of the ruling party.
At the centre of the concern is what a section of the party considers a simple political reality which indicates that a presidential campaign council must be more than a collection of eminent names.
The argument is that It must represent the broad political coalition supporting the President, accommodate the different tendencies within the ruling party and, above all, deploy the strongest available talents in mobilisation, strategy, media engagement, policy communication and grassroots organisation.
The absence of several established figures has raised legitimate questions. Among the names being mentioned are Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, former Plateau State Governor and serving Senator Simon Lalong, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Femi Fani-Kayode, Reno Omokri, Senator Grace Bent and other recognisable political voices who have, in different capacities, supported the administration or demonstrated considerable political and communications abilities.
On the flip side, the inclusion of some personalities in the list is generating so much controversy which may have given credence to the calls for a possible review.
One of them is the custodian of Nigeria’s Identity data Dr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, who is the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC.
So with all the reactions to the list will the party consider a review or will it stick with this list. If the APC decides on a review, will such an exercise consider issues raised by political watchers? Time indeed will tell.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
