By Steve Adepoju
The appointment of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari as the Director-General of the campaign for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the appointment of other members of the campaign structure by the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC), is a significant political development as the country moves towards the 2027 general election.
The campaign structure, announced through a State House press release on Friday night, brings together experienced political actors who are expected to coordinate the campaign across the country, articulate the administration’s achievements and programmes, mobilise support, and ultimately lead the President’s re-election effort.
In my view, having Senator Abdul’aziz Yari as Director-General, with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole serving as Deputy Director of Mobilisation, is a formidable combination for a campaign that is seeking victory across Nigeria.
Senator Yari brings to the assignment considerable political experience, organisational capacity and an understanding of the dynamics of grassroots politics. He is a politician who understands that elections are not won merely from the comfort of offices or through social media narratives. Elections are won by taking the message to the people, building structures, engaging stakeholders and mobilising voters.
As Director-General, Senator Yari will be expected to galvanise the various political structures behind the President’s re-election bid, coordinate the campaign machinery and ensure that the message of the administration reaches Nigerians across the different regions, communities and political constituencies.
But perhaps what makes the combination even more interesting is the presence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Deputy Director of Mobilisation.
Oshiomhole is no stranger to political mobilisation. As a former labour leader, former Governor of Edo State, former National Chairman of the APC and now a serving Senator of the Federal Republic, he has accumulated considerable experience in political organisation, grassroots engagement and electioneering.
More importantly, Comrade Oshiomhole has a reputation for taking political messages directly to the people. His ability to communicate, engage, debate and connect with ordinary Nigerians could become a valuable asset to the campaign.
While Senator Yari provides the strategic coordination and broader political architecture, Oshiomhole can bring his considerable mobilisation experience to bear in ensuring that the campaign does not remain confined to political meetings and elite conversations, but gets down to the grassroots where elections are ultimately decided.
The task before the campaign, however, is not simply to tell Nigerians that President Tinubu deserves another term. The campaign must convincingly communicate why Nigerians should give him another four years.
That requires honesty, effective communication and a clear presentation of the administration’s achievements, ongoing reforms and what Nigerians can realistically expect in a second term. Where there are challenges, the campaign must also be prepared to acknowledge them and explain how the administration intends to address them.
Political campaigns are won when voters are persuaded that their interests, aspirations and concerns are understood and that the candidate has a credible plan to address them.
The Yari–Oshiomhole combination therefore presents an opportunity to build a campaign that combines political strategy with grassroots mobilisation and effective communication.
Of course, no appointment or campaign structure can, by itself, guarantee electoral victory. The real work begins now. The campaign will have to unite the party, manage internal disagreements, engage stakeholders across the country, strengthen grassroots structures and convince undecided Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves their votes.
I therefore congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress on what I consider a strategic choice of campaign leadership.
I particularly welcome the combination of Senator Abdul’aziz Yari as Director-General and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Deputy Director of Mobilisation. It is a combination that brings together political experience, organisational capacity and grassroots mobilisation.
The road to 2027 has begun in earnest.
If properly coordinated, if the campaign communicates effectively with Nigerians, and if the party is able to put its house in order and mobilise its structures across the country, this team has what it takes to mount a formidable campaign for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
I look forward to a campaign that is issue-driven, people-oriented and focused on presenting the administration’s record and vision to Nigerians.
Congratulations to the President. Congratulations to the APC. And congratulations to Senator Abdul’aziz Yari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on their appointments.
The work begins. The mobilisation starts. And the journey to 2027 is officially underway. Nigerians, listen carefully, and ensure you make the right choice at the poll.
