Tinubu’s Campaign Council filled with corruption suspects, says ADC as Betta Edu, Ngozi Olejeme makes list

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the composition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council, describing the structure as a “rehabilitation centre” for individuals facing unresolved corruption allegations.

The opposition party said the inclusion of some former government officials in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council raised questions about the administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC specifically questioned the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, and former Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ngozi Olejeme, in the campaign structure.

Edu was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following controversy over an attempted transfer of N585 million from the National Social Investment Programme Agency account into a private account.

Olejeme, meanwhile, has faced prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial offences.

The ADC challenged the Federal Government to clarify whether the cases involving the two former officials and other individuals associated with the campaign council had been resolved.

“If they have been cleared, the government should show how and when and by whom they were cleared,” Abdullahi said.

The opposition party alleged that corruption investigations involving politically connected individuals under the Tinubu administration had increasingly faded from public attention, with some of those affected later returning to prominent positions in government or politics.

According to the ADC, the development raises questions about the administration’s commitment to accountability as the country approaches another presidential election.

ADC attacks Tinubu’s economic record

The party also argued that the 2027 presidential election would effectively serve as a referendum on Tinubu’s performance since he assumed office in May 2023.

It said the President’s campaign structure would not be enough to persuade Nigerians to overlook the economic difficulties they are facing.

“The President may assemble his old friends and political allies, including those carrying unresolved corruption questions, but all of their collective brooms cannot sweep away the grave pains they have brought on the Nigerian people,” the party said.

The ADC said Nigerians continued to contend with high food prices, poverty and the rising cost of living, while individuals close to government allegedly enjoyed what it described as “obscene opulence.”

The party also renewed its proposal for targeted subsidies to support domestic fuel production, arguing that such an intervention could reduce petrol prices and ease pressure on households and businesses.

It said its proposed subsidy system would be targeted, capped, budgeted and independently audited, with mechanisms to ensure that public funds could be traced and crude oil allocations accounted for.

The ADC rejected the argument that Nigeria could not afford such an intervention, saying the government should first account for the cost of what it described as its “wrong-headed policies.”

The party said the proposal formed part of what it called the “Atiku solution” to Nigeria’s economic challenges.

Tinubu inaugurates 2027 campaign council

The ADC’s criticism followed the formal constitution of the APC Presidential Campaign Council by Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General of the campaign council.

The composition was announced in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

Tinubu will serve as chairman of the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, will serve as vice chairmen.

Yari will coordinate the campaign as Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will serve as Secretary.

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman were named Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary respectively.

The council also includes senior political figures serving as advisers to the President, including former APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha; former APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni were also appointed Deputy Directors-General for the campaign in different parts of the country.

They will work with Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Senator Jibril Barau in coordinating campaign activities across the two zones.

The development further intensifies the political contest ahead of the 2027 election, with opposition parties increasingly scrutinising the APC’s campaign structure and the record of the Tinubu administration.

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