APC Limits Campaign Rallies for Ministers and Members to Their Home States

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has told ministers, political appointees, and members of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council to attend campaign rallies only in their home states. This is part of the party's preparations for the 2027 general elections.

This instruction is in a circular signed by Abdulaziz Yari, who is the director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. The circular was sent to all directors and heads of directorates.

Called Guidelines on Participation at Campaign Rallies, the document says this rule is meant to improve campaign coordination and build support at the grassroots level across Nigeria.

According to the circular, "Campaign rallies are designed to energise the APC in the states and zones, and to communicate the achievements of His Excellency, the President, to the electorate."

The guidelines state that ministers and political appointees must attend rallies only in their states. They should focus on gathering supporters from their polling units, wards, and Local Government Areas (LGAs).

This council said the instruction fits into the campaign's 'pyramid concept', which emphasizes grassroots support and coordination.

Members of the Presidential Campaign Council must also stick to rallies in their home states. Besides attending these rallies, they need to carry out their directorates’ approved work plans and budgets and engage in grassroots mobilization within their areas.

The circular also explained the duties for members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). It told NWC members, except for the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Women’s Leader, National Youth Leader, and National Organising Secretary, to focus on their party tasks and mobilization activities in their states and zones.

Still, the circular mentioned that NWC members should attend rallies held in their home states. It also instructed directorates that do not have specific roles at campaign rallies to work on their approved plans and budgets instead of taking part in rally activities.

The council said this setup is meant to keep campaign activities organized and in line with the party’s goals.

The Presidential Campaign Council added that it wants to boost the visibility of APC candidates for State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate during these rallies. It urged directors to share this circular with all officers in their directorates and ensure that its rules are followed.

These guidelines come as the APC gets ready for its campaign activities leading up to the 2027 presidential election, where Mr. Tinubu is seeking re-election.

The Rally Schedule

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the APC has started its 2027 presidential campaign rallies, with the first one held in Kaduna on October 24.

The party's planned schedule includes rallies in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. However, Mr. Tinubu will only attend rallies in 12 states personally. The other rallies will be managed by party leaders and campaign officials.

Since the kickoff, the APC has held rallies in Kaduna, Cross River, and Gombe states. Mr. Tinubu joined the Kaduna rally on October 24. Vice-President Kashim Shettima led the campaign rally in Calabar, Cross River State, on November 2. Gombe is also scheduled for a rally on November 3.

The 12 states where Mr. Tinubu will personally attend rallies are Kaduna, Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, Adamawa, and Lagos.

The proposed itinerary runs from October 2026 to January 2027, with the grand finale set for Lagos on January 9, 2027.