The men, women in Tinubu’s campaign council with EFCC, ICPC cases
By Ishaya Ibrahim
President Bola Tinubu has withdrawn the controversial 223-member All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council list for the 2027 general elections, although the reason for the reported withdrawal remains unclear.
However, the APC has denied that the president withdrew the list, creating uncertainty over the status of the campaign council.
The composition of the council had drawn scrutiny over the inclusion of several political figures who have faced investigations, prosecutions, convictions or allegations involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Here is a look at some of the members and the cases or allegations associated with them.
1. Abdulaziz Yari
Yari, the Director-General of the campaign council, is a former governor of Zamfara State and currently a senator representing Zamfara West.
His financial affairs have attracted scrutiny, particularly following the acquisition of a controlling interest in Geregu Power.
On December 29, 2025, MA’AM Energy Limited acquired a 95% stake in Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, Geregu Power’s majority shareholder, in a transaction reported to be worth about $750 million, or approximately ₦1.01 trillion at the current exchange rate.
Corporate records reviewed by Premium Times at the time identified Yari’s son, Abdulaziz Yari, as one of four persons with significant control in MA’AM Energy. Yari subsequently became chairman of Geregu Power.
Before entering partisan politics in 1999, publicly available biographical records show that Yari trained in secretarial studies and has said he worked as a primary-school teacher and with a local government.
His financial dealings have also previously attracted the attention of anti-corruption agencies. In 2021, a Federal High Court ordered the forfeiture of funds linked to Yari and associates after the respondents failed to establish a legitimate source for the funds. The ICPC also obtained an interim forfeiture order over properties linked to him in 2022.
2. Bello Matawalle
Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence and Deputy Director, Security and Intelligence of the campaign council, is a former governor of Zamfara State.
In 2023, shortly after leaving office, his successor, Dauda Lawal, alleged that more than 40 vehicles, including bulletproof SUVs, had been recovered from properties associated with the former governor.
The EFCC has also investigated alleged financial misconduct during Matawalle’s tenure. In 2024, the commission said its investigation into alleged diversion of about ₦70 billion involving the former governor remained active.
Matawalle has denied wrongdoing and has accused his political opponents of persecution.
3. Abdullahi Ganduje
Ganduje, the Director of Stakeholders Mobilisation for the campaign council, is a former governor of Kano State.
The Kano State Government filed an eight-count corruption case against him, alleging, among other things, that he received kickbacks from contractors during his tenure as governor.
Ganduje has denied the allegations and described the case as politically motivated.
The allegations also revived the controversy surrounding a 2018 video published by Daily Nigerian, which appeared to show Ganduje receiving and counting dollar notes allegedly offered as kickbacks by a contractor. Ganduje denied that the money in the video was a bribe.
4. Godswill Akpabio
Akpabio, the Senate President and Deputy Director-General (South) of the campaign council, is a former governor of Akwa Ibom State and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
He has faced allegations concerning the management of public funds during his time as governor and during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, including allegations relating to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The EFCC has investigated allegations involving the NDDC. Akpabio has denied wrongdoing and has not been convicted of a financial crime in connection with those allegations.
5. Rochas Okorocha
Okorocha, listed under Contact and Mobilisation and also an adviser to Tinubu on the campaign, is a former governor of Imo State.
The EFCC charged him and others in a 17-count case involving alleged diversion and conversion of about ₦2.9 billion in public funds. Okorocha pleaded not guilty to the charges.
6. Jolly Nyame
Nyame, a former governor of Taraba State, is listed under Contact and Mobilisation.
He was convicted over the diversion of about ₦1.6 billion in state funds and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The Supreme Court affirmed his conviction.
Nyame was among former governors granted a presidential pardon in 2022.
7. Joshua Dariye
Dariye, a former governor of Plateau State, is also listed under Contact and Mobilisation. He was convicted over the diversion of approximately ₦1.16 billion in state funds and sentenced to prison. Dariye was subsequently granted a presidential pardon in 2022.
8. Orji Uzor Kalu
Kalu, a senator and former governor of Abia State, is listed under Contact and Mobilisation. He was convicted in 2019 over allegations involving the diversion of about ₦7.65 billion in Abia State funds. However, the Supreme Court subsequently nullified the conviction on procedural grounds and ordered a retrial.
9. Ibrahim Shema
Shema, a former governor of Katsina State and member of the campaign council’s legal committee, was prosecuted by the EFCC over allegations involving approximately ₦11 billion in public funds.
His jurisdictional challenge reached the Supreme Court, which allowed the prosecution to proceed. One of the prosecutions was later discontinued by the Katsina State Government.
10. Betta Edu
Edu, the Director of Women Mobilisation for the campaign council, is a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. She was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 after a memo emerged showing that she had authorised the payment of ₦585.19 million intended for vulnerable groups into a private bank account belonging to an official identified as the project accountant. The Accountant-General of the Federation subsequently said the payment was not executed.
President Tinubu directed the EFCC to investigate the matter, and Edu was questioned by the commission.
