Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has challenged former Zamfara State Governor Abdul’aziz Yari over his decision to serve as Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Kwankwaso, in a statement shared on X on Sunday, questioned the composition of the campaign council and urged Yari to reconsider his decision to lead the campaign.
According to him, the council is largely made up of political figures who have either backed, defended or served in the current administration, raising questions about the message the APC intends to take to voters ahead of the 2027 election.
“The council brings together many of the same political actors who have supported, defended or participated in the present administration,” he said.
“Their coming together raises a fundamental question: what exactly are they asking Nigerians to vote for in 2027, a new beginning, or the continuation of the same system that has brought severe hardship to our people?”
Kwankwaso said the next presidential election would give Nigerians the opportunity to decide whether to retain the Tinubu administration or choose a different political direction.
He cited the rising cost of living, unemployment and insecurity, as well as growing pressure on education, healthcare and other essential public services, as major concerns facing the country.
The former Kano State governor made a specific appeal to Yari, saying his experience as a former governor of Zamfara should give him a clear understanding of the challenges confronting people in the North-West and across Nigeria.
“As a former governor of Zamfara State and a prominent leader from the North-West, I believe Senator Yari has a clear understanding of the devastating consequences of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods in the region and the country at large,” he said.
Kwankwaso consequently questioned whether Yari would be comfortable spearheading a campaign for another term for the Tinubu administration despite the difficulties he said Nigerians are currently experiencing.
He also expressed concern over the reported involvement of Nigeria Revenue Service Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji and Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, in the campaign’s fundraising and finance committees.
Kwankwaso argued that the participation of senior officials overseeing key public institutions in partisan campaign activities could raise concerns about institutional neutrality and public trust.
“The leadership of critical public institutions demands neutrality, integrity and public confidence,” Kwankwaso said.
He therefore called on the Federal Government and the APC to explain how the participation of the officials in the campaign structure aligns with those principles.
Kwankwaso further urged Nigerians to reject what he described as continued oppression and support accountable and people-centred leadership in the 2027 election.
“If Osun people can do it, so can all other parts of the country,” he said.