Concerns have emerged over the ability of public officials to balance their government responsibilities with political activities after the All Progressives Congress (APC) appointed 209 serving public officials to its expanded campaign council for the 2027 presidential election. The development has prompted civil society organisations to call for stronger monitoring to ensure that governance, legislative oversight and public finances are not compromised by electioneering. The council has 313 members, with serving governors, ministers, legislators and other political appointees accounting for about two-thirds of its membership.
President Bola Tinubu had assured Nigerians that government activities would continue despite preparations for the election. While inaugurating the campaign council at the State House in Abuja, he said the responsibilities of his office would not be suspended because of political campaigns. However, civil society groups maintain that the assurance must be supported by safeguards to prevent official duties from being neglected and public resources from being used for partisan purposes.
The appointments of serving governors to financial positions within the campaign structure have attracted particular attention. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was named Director of Finance and Treasury, while Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo was appointed deputy director. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun was named Director of Fundraising, with Nigeria Revenue Service Chairman Zacch Adedeji appointed as his deputy. Advocacy groups say these roles require safeguards against conflicts of interest and the possible diversion of public funds towards campaign activities.
Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said public officials had a democratic right to participate in politics but stressed that government institutions and taxpayers’ money must not be used to advance party interests. Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to establish monitoring mechanisms. The groups also recommended disclosure of campaign donations and expenditure, independent audits and scrutiny of unusual public spending.
The organisations also raised concerns about the involvement of senior National Assembly officials in the campaign council, warning that campaign responsibilities should not interfere with lawmaking and oversight. They called for clear rules on campaign activities during plenary and committee sessions, alongside measures to prevent the use of government vehicles, staff, offices and public funds for partisan purposes. Although the groups warned of potential risks, they stressed that appointments to campaign positions do not, on their own, prove wrongdoing and that any allegations of abuse should be investigated based on evidence.
