President Bola Tinubu has appointed Ajibola Basiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as deputy secretary of the party's 2027 presidential campaign council. The announcement, reported by Legit.ng, formalises the ruling party's re-election machinery ahead of the next general elections.
223-Member Campaign Council Structure
The newly constituted campaign council comprises 223 members and serves as the central body driving Tinubu's bid for a second term. Its mandate covers political mobilisation, stakeholder engagement, administration, and the organisation of campaign activities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Basiru's appointment follows his earlier decision to withdraw from the 2026 Osun State governorship race. He had stated at the time that he wanted to concentrate on his national party duties and preparations for the 2027 elections, a move that now appears to have paved the way for this role.
Basiru's Political and Professional Background
Born on July 1, 1972, in Osogbo, Basiru has served as APC National Secretary since August 2023. In this capacity, he oversees party administration and coordinates the party's e-membership drive. In 2025, he was additionally appointed chairman of the National Sugar Development Council.
His academic credentials include an LLB, LLM, and PhD in Property Law from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), along with studies in Arabic and Islamic Studies at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). He previously worked at Olaniwun Ajayi Chambers and as a partner at M.A. Banire and Associates.
Before his current national role, Basiru represented Osun Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2019 to 2023, where he served as senate spokesperson. He also held executive positions in Osun State, including attorney general from 2017 to 2018 and commissioner for regional integration and special duties from 2010 to 2014.
Diaspora Mobilisation Appointment
In a related development, President Tinubu also named Ade Omole as Deputy Director, Diaspora Mobilisation I, of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Omole is an ICT executive, legal professional, and public affairs strategist, widely recognised as the "Face of the Nigerian Diaspora." He serves as chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Voting Council (NDVC).
With the 2027 general elections less than two years away, the formalisation of the campaign council signals that the APC is moving beyond internal consolidation into active electoral planning under Tinubu's leadership.
