Why APC is yet to constitute full presidential campaign team — Keyamo

The Director of Strategic Communications of President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation (PMBCO), Festus Keyamo, said yesterday that the remaining members of the team would be announced as soon as the campaign starts.

Apart from the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who returns as the Director -General of the PMBCO; and Keyamo who was appointed to serve as the official spokesperson of the campaign, no other major appointment has been made since April 16, 2018.

When asked that nothing much had been heard about the composition of the President Buhari Campaign Organization including various committees, Keyamo said, “I think you should be patient. We don’t need to say anything about that. Be patient, the campaign has not started.”

On how the PMBCO would get funds for the campaigns, the official spokesperson said, “The campaign council will announce that when the time comes. We have not announced the campaign council. Be patient about that.”

President Buhari had on August 1, inspected renovation works at the proposed presidential campaign office located at Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Area, Abuja. The edifice was used as the campaign headquarters of Buhari ahead of the 2015 election.

Section 99 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) provides 90 days before an election for the commencement of campaign by political parties.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed November 18, 2018 for the commencement of presidential and National Assembly campaigns.

Already, the PDP had named Senate President Bukola Saraki as the DirectorGeneral of Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.

According to a statement, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State is zonal coordinator for the North-West; Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State (North-East); Samuel Ortom of Benue State (North-Central); David Umahi of Ebonyi State (South-East); Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (South-South) while the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose will coordinate the campaign activities in the South-West.

Others were Barrister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, who was named as the Chairman, Legal Matters, while Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, is the Chairman, Fund Raising.

The PDP had in the past launched a fund-raiser where billions were donated for its campaigns.