APC Limits Ministers to Rallies in Their States for 2027 Campaign

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has told ministers, political appointees, and members of its 2027 campaign council to only attend rallies in their home states.

This information came from a circular dated Tuesday, signed by the Director-General of the council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

The circular went to all directors and heads of directorates. It laid out rules for how to participate in the party’s presidential campaign rallies across the states and geopolitical zones.

The council explained why they made this decision. They said, "As the 2027 Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) intensifies its campaign activities across the states and geopolitical zones, it is imperative to provide clear guidelines on participation at campaign rallies for strict compliance."

The council described the rallies as important for gaining support for the party and sharing the President’s achievements with voters. "Campaign rallies are intended to energise the base of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the states and zones, and to communicate the achievements of His Excellency, the President, to the electorate," the circular stated.

It also said, "Participation should therefore be organised in a manner that advances these objectives."

The council told directorates that do not have specific duties at the rallies to focus on their assigned jobs. They said, "are hereby directed to remain focused on the implementation of their approved Work Plans and Budgets."

Ministers and other political appointees were told to stick to rallies in their home states. "They are required to attend only the rallies held in their home states," the circular stated.

They were also directed to "focus on grassroots mobilisation across their polling units, wards and Local Government Areas (LGAs), in line with the pyramid concept of the campaign plan to ensure targeted coordination and implementation."

The same rules apply to members of the Presidential Campaign Council. They have to attend only rallies in their home states and focus on their directorates' approved work plans.

The circular added that they need to "focus on the implementation of their Directorate’s approved Work Plans and grassroots mobilisation across polling units, wards, and LGAs."

For members of the APC National Working Committee, the council told them to concentrate on party duties and mobilising in their states and geopolitical zones. The circular said members of the committee, "with the exception of the National Chairman, National Secretary, National Women’s Leader, National Youth Leader, and National Organising Secretary," should attend rallies in their home states.

The council also mentioned plans to highlight the party’s legislative candidates during the rallies. They said, "The Council seeks to strengthen the visibility of the APC State Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senatorial candidates at the rallies."

Directors were told to make sure all officers in their directorates knew about these guidelines. "Directors are requested to ensure that the contents of this circular are brought to the attention of all officers within their Directorates and that its provisions are duly observed," the document added.

This directive comes about three weeks after President Bola Tinubu said he would not attend every APC campaign rally for the 2027 general election. He cited the demands of governance and the country’s financial obligations.

On October 14, 2026, during the launch of the Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, Tinubu asked members to lead the party’s mobilisation efforts across the country while he focuses on state matters. "You’ve warned me not to allow the rigour of the campaign to distract me from governance, I hear you. I am in full agreement with your decision. Nigeria needs more attention now," he said.

He also told the campaign council that he would not be able to join them at every campaign event. "So, you will excuse me from going everywhere with you, we have bills to pay. The American creditors cannot wait," the President said.

Tinubu promised party members he would still find time to talk to Nigerians directly while they manage campaigns across states and local government areas. "However, I will still make time to speak directly with Nigerians, even as you lead the campaign in the states and local government areas," he added.

The APC then released a nationwide campaign timetable for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Tinubu is set to lead rallies in 12 states, including Rivers, Plateau, Oyo, Borno, Enugu, Bauchi, Sokoto, Delta, Kano, and Adamawa.

Lagos will host the grand finale on January 9, 2027.

The circular ended by thanking party officials for their cooperation and commitment to the campaign, saying, "Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to the success of the campaign."