With barely two weeks to the official commencement of presidential campaigns for the 2027 general election, political parties have intensified behind-the-scenes consultations over the composition of their campaign organisations, with former governors emerging as leading contenders to head the campaign structures of the major presidential candidates.
Investigations by The PUNCH revealed that while the ruling All Progressives Congress is weighing the credentials of former Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to lead President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign, the African Democratic Congress has settled on former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, as the leading contender to direct former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential bid.
The Labour Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, the Social Democratic Party and the National Democratic Coalition have also stepped up consultations over their campaign structures, with officials of the parties confirming that announcements on their campaign directors-general and campaign councils would be made before August 19, the date fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the commencement of presidential campaigns.
The flurry of consultations reflects the strategic importance political parties attach to the office of campaign Director-General, regarded as one of the most influential positions in any presidential race after the candidate and running mate.
Beyond coordinating campaign logistics, the DG is expected to supervise nationwide mobilisation, harmonise the activities of campaign councils across the six geopolitical zones, manage relationships with political stakeholders, oversee fundraising efforts, coordinate media messaging and ensure that the candidate’s manifesto is effectively communicated to voters.
With President Tinubu seeking a second term and opposition parties attempting to build a formidable coalition capable of ending the APC’s dominance at the centre, political observers say the choice of campaign managers could significantly shape the intensity and direction of the contest.
Already, preparations have gathered momentum following INEC’s release of the timetable for the 2027 general election, which provides for presidential campaigns to begin on August 19.
