Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised the inclusion of Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and Taminu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council for the 2027 elections.

The APC on Saturday unveiled its 108-member campaign council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, naming Abdulaziz Yari, Senator representing Zamfara West, as Director-General and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as Secretary.

Yakubu was appointed Treasurer of the campaign council, while Adedeji was named Deputy Director of Fundraising.

Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday, Kwankwaso said the involvement of the two senior public officials in partisan campaign activities raised questions about the institutional neutrality of the agencies they head.

“The leadership of critical public institutions demands neutrality, integrity and public confidence. 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,” Kwankwaso said.

He said the composition of the APC campaign council should concern “all well-meaning Nigerians”, particularly amid the rising cost of food and other basic necessities.

According to him, young Nigerians are grappling with unemployment and shrinking opportunities, while farmers and businesses are struggling to survive and millions of citizens continue to face insecurity.

“Our education, healthcare and other essential public services remain under enormous pressure,” he added.

Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to reject what he described as “continued oppression” and demand accountable and people-oriented governance.

He also appealed to Yari to “reflect deeply and reconsider his acceptance” of the Director-General position of the APC campaign council.

“As a former governor of Zamfara State and a prominent leader from the North-West, I believe Senator Yari has a clear understanding of the devastating consequences of insecurity, poverty, unemployment, displacement and the destruction of livelihoods in the region and the country at large,” he said.

Kwankwaso said he would be surprised if Yari, “in his good conscience,” agreed to lead a campaign aimed at securing the continuation of a government under which many Nigerians, including people from the region he once governed, remain confronted by insecurity and economic hardship.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further described the 2027 general election as “a struggle between the oppressed Nigerian masses and those who have benefited from, defended and sustained the system responsible for their hardship.”