The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that it withdrew its 2027 presidential campaign council list, describing the reports as rumours and insisting that any changes to the composition would be formally announced.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the clarification on Tuesday morning while speaking with TheCable.
“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” Morka said.
“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is any reason to update it, it would be announced properly.”
The clarification followed reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the list unveiled on Saturday amid concerns over the inclusion of some serving public officials and individuals facing corruption allegations.
The council has President Bola Tinubu as chairman, Vice-President Kashim Shettima as vice-chairman, while APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda was also named vice-chairman.
Former Zamfara Governor Abdulaziz Yari was appointed Director-General, while Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was named secretary.
Other members 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 generated controversy, particularly over the inclusion of Edu and Olejeme.
Edu was suspended by Tinubu in January 2024 over allegations of financial malfeasance, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) subsequently investigated the matter.
Olejeme is also facing an EFCC investigation over an alleged N1 billion money-laundering offence.
Reports on Monday claimed that the APC had withdrawn the campaign council list to review some of the names.
However, Morka rejected the claim, maintaining that the party would communicate any alteration to the list through official channels.
When asked about complaints from some APC members over the absence of prominent party figures from the council, Morka said he was not the appropriate person to address such concerns.
