Kwankwaso criticizes APC campaign group, says election is about oppressors and oppressed

Former Governor of Kano State and vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has hit out at the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections.

In a statement on X on Sunday, Mr Kwankwaso said the upcoming election is a battle between the "oppressed Nigerian masses" and political leaders who have kept policies that cause economic hardship.

Mr Kwankwaso pointed out that the campaign council includes key figures from the current government. He believes this shows Nigerians what to expect in the 2027 elections.

"The council brings together many of the same political actors who have supported, defended or participated in the present administration."

He asked, "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?"

The former governor said many families are struggling with rising food prices and living costs. Young Nigerians are finding it harder to get jobs, and businesses, farmers, and public services like healthcare and education are facing serious challenges due to ongoing insecurity.

"This ruling campaign structure presents another scenario between the oppressors and the oppressed," Mr Kwankwaso said. "We must use it come the 2027 election to reject continued oppression and demand accountable, people-centred governance. If Osun people can do it, so can all other parts of the country."

He had a direct message for former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’aziz Yari, who was named Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Mr Kwankwaso urged Mr Yari to think carefully before accepting the position.

Mr Kwankwaso noted that Mr Yari, as a well-known northern leader and former governor, knows the socio-economic and security problems in the North-west and nationwide.

"I particularly appeal to my brother, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, who has accepted to serve as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, to reflect deeply and reconsider accepting this responsibility," he said.

As a former governor of Zamfara State and a key leader from the North-west, Mr Kwankwaso believes Senator Yari understands the severe effects of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, and loss of livelihoods in the region and across the country.

"I therefore will be surprised if in his good conscience, [he] will lead a campaign whose principal objective is to secure the continuation of a government under which many of the people he once governed… remain trapped in these challenges," Mr Kwankwaso said.

Mr Kwankwaso also raised alarms over the inclusion of important public finance officials in the campaign council. He pointed out that Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, and Tanimu Kurfi, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, are part of the campaign’s financial and fundraising teams.

He stressed the need for integrity in institutions and questioned how public officials managing national funds could also take on political roles without losing public trust.

"The leadership of critical public institutions demands neutrality, integrity and public confidence," Mr Kwankwaso said. "It is therefore legitimate to ask whether the responsibilities of senior officials entrusted with managing public revenue and national finances can appropriately coexist with senior partisan campaign roles."

He added, "The government and the APC should explain how such arrangements are consistent with institutional neutrality and public trust."

Mr Kwankwaso expressed faith in the voters, stating, "Ultimately, no campaign council is more powerful than the Nigerian people."

In response to Mr Kwankwaso’s comments on X, former presidential media aide Bashir Ahmad disagreed with the claim that the upcoming election would be between "the oppressors and the oppressed."

Mr Ahmad said Mr Kwankwaso's criticism of the APC Presidential Campaign Council "does little to advance serious national debate."

"I respectfully disagree with this characterisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. It is fair to scrutinise government and demand better governance, but reducing the 2027 contest to a simplistic battle between oppressors and the oppressed does little to advance serious national debate."

He added, "The APC’s campaign council should be judged by the policies, programmes and vision it presents to Nigerians, not merely by the political identities of the individuals serving in it and the 2027 election should be a contest of ideas, records, competence and competing visions for Nigeria’s future."

Mr Ahmad also spoke about Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, saying, "We all believe he is experienced enough to make his own judgement about whether to accept a national responsibility. His experience as a former governor and senior political leader should be seen as an asset to the political process, not automatically interpreted as complicity in every challenge confronting the country."

He concluded, "Nigerians are not passive victims waiting for political actors to tell them what their choices are. They are intelligent citizens capable of examining the records of governments, comparing alternatives and deciding for themselves what direction they want the country to take."

Mr Ahmad stressed, "The 2027 election should therefore be about performance, ideas and the future of Nigeria, not inflammatory labels of ‘oppressors’ and ‘oppressed.’ Let Nigerians decide," he stated.