APC names Lalong as DG of presidential campaign council

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Simon Lalong, governor of Plateau, is the director-general of its presidential campaign council.

Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, announced the development on Thursday while speaking with journalists after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also present at the meeting were Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima, APC presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.

According to Adamu, the choice of Lalong as DG of the campaign council is based on his capacity to deliver.

The APC national chairman also said Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment, would serve as “interim spokesperson” for the presidential campaign council.

Prior to the announcement by the APC, there had been speculations that the choice was between Lalong and Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the party.

However, as of Tuesday, Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, had said someone had been picked for the position, but consultations were ongoing for other positions.

“We have briefed the candidate and his running mate and inputs have been taken and our hope is that in the shortest possible time, the candidate will consult more with the party leadership and brief Mr President and get his input and then we will formally unveil the presidential campaign council,” el-Rufai had said.

“A decision has been taken on the director-general, but other positions in the campaign council are still being discussed. The president and the national chairman and national working committee will be briefed before a formal announcement.”