Tinubu Campaign Council Faces Fresh Pushback Over Sheriff's Appointment

By Habeeba Sanda Lemu

A support group backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's expected 2027 re-election bid has threatened to suspend its campaign activities in the North-East over the appointment of former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to a key position in the ruling party's campaign structure.

The development, according to THE NATIONAL LENS, has added a new layer of debate to preparations already gathering momentum ahead of the next general election, with the group insisting that its concerns are not directed at President Tinubu but at the choice of personnel entrusted with leading campaign efforts in the region.

In a petition addressed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the group argued that Sheriff's emergence as the North-East Zonal Campaign Coordinator could affect grassroots mobilisation and weaken public confidence among some supporters in the region. The organisation warned that it may be unable to continue voluntary campaign operations if its concerns are not addressed.

The group's position comes amid growing political activity across the country as parties and support organisations begin aligning strategies for the 2027 presidential election. Although the official campaign season is still some distance away, political actors have increasingly stepped up consultations, endorsements and organisational preparations.

Our correspondent gathered that supporters of the objection say campaign structures must be built around individuals capable of attracting broad-based acceptance and energising party loyalists at the grassroots level. They contend that any controversy surrounding key campaign figures could become a distraction from efforts to sell the administration's achievements and future agenda.

However, the group was careful to reaffirm its support for President Tinubu, stressing that its reservations concern the campaign arrangement rather than the President's re-election aspiration. According to its leaders, the objection should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of support for the APC or the administration.

The controversy follows a similar expression of concern by another political organisation, which also questioned Sheriff's inclusion in the campaign council and called for a review of the appointment.

As discussions continue within the ruling party, political observers say the episode highlights the importance of internal consensus-building ahead of a major election. With the North-East expected to remain a critical battleground in 2027, the APC may face increasing pressure to ensure that its campaign structure enjoys the confidence of both party stakeholders and grassroots supporters.

Whether the concerns raised will lead to adjustments within the campaign council remains unclear. For now, the dispute underscores how early political manoeuvring is already shaping conversations around the next presidential contest, despite the election still being more than a year away.