APC Campaign Council List: Onoh reacts, urges Tinubu to review it

Chairman of the Forum of Former Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Denge Josef Onoh, Denge Josef Onoh, has criticised the newly released 223-member All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections, urging President Bola Tinubu to review its composition.

Onoh, a former South-East spokesman of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, gave  the reaction in a strongly-worded memorandum addressed to the President.

He expressed concern over what he termed the “heavy marginalization” of major party stakeholders and foundational loyalists from the South-East geopolitical zone.

He argued that the composition of the council could affect the party’s mobilisation efforts in the region ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the 2023 presidential campaign structure was more inclusive and provided opportunities for regional stakeholders and grassroots mobilisers who contributed to the party’s campaign.

Onoh alleged that the latest structure had not given sufficient consideration to some of the party’s longstanding supporters in the South-East.

He also raised concerns about the representation of the region in key operational, policy and management directorates of the campaign council, saying broader inclusion was necessary to give stakeholders a sense of ownership.

The former campaign spokesman also criticised the communication structure of the campaign council, arguing that the media team required experienced political communicators capable of responding effectively to the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

“With the strict exception of only two persons who possess genuine fire and strategic depth, the current media team completely lacks the political tenacity and intellectual grit to face the opposition’s sophisticated PR machinery,” Onoh said.

He warned that the exclusion of experienced campaigners and media operatives could create vulnerabilities for the APC and make it easier for opposition parties to gain political advantage.

Onoh consequently urged Tinubu to order a comprehensive review of the 223-member campaign council, with particular attention to geopolitical balance and the inclusion of established party leaders and grassroots mobilisers.

He also called for a review of the campaign’s media structure to accommodate what he described as politically experienced and resilient communicators.

Onoh further urged the President to ensure that party stakeholders across the country were given a sense of ownership of the re-election campaign.

“Mr. President, do not let the short-sighted selfishness of a few handlers ruin the future of your administration.

“You cannot win a national re-election by shrinking your support base and telling an entire region they have no stake in your campaign,” he said.

He argued that broader representation and effective coordination would be critical to the APC’s efforts to retain the presidency in 2027.