APC Picks Ex-Super Eagles Captain Yobo for Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign

Former Super Eagles captain and Nigerian international footballer, Joseph Yobo, has been appointed Deputy Director, Sports Sector Mobilisation II, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

Yobo is among the 108 members of the council constituted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the ruling party begins preparations for the presidential contest.

His inclusion in the campaign council comes barely a month after the former footballer publicly hinted that he had not ruled out entering politics, saying his future political plans were in God’s hands.

Yobo made the remarks in July while attending the commissioning of infrastructure projects in the Federal Capital Territory. Responding to questions about whether his increasing participation in public events suggested an interest in political office, he said, “You can never truly tell what will happen; the future is always in God’s hands. As for whether I will join politics, you can never say never.”

The former Everton defender also pointed to his experience as captain of the Nigerian national team as evidence of his exposure to leadership, while acknowledging his growing interest in governance.

“I am naturally interested because politics and governance shape our daily lives. You just never know what the future holds. When the time is right, God will decide,” Yobo said at the time.

His appointment therefore marks a significant step into partisan politics for the former footballer, who has previously been involved in civic and political advocacy.

In 2022, Yobo served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Grassroots Mobilisation Initiative for Good Governance, a socio-political organisation established to mobilise Nigerians towards the election of credible leaders. The group initially positioned itself as non-partisan and sought to engage Nigerians across political affiliations ahead of the 2023 elections.

Yobo had also urged Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate actively in the electoral process, arguing that citizens should carefully assess candidates before voting.

The former international footballer’s latest political role places him within the APC’s campaign structure, where he is expected to contribute to mobilisation within the sports sector as the party seeks to secure President Tinubu’s re-election.

The 108-member Presidential Campaign Council is headed by Tinubu as chairman, with Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, serving as vice chairmen.

Former Zamfara State governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General, while Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, will serve as Secretary.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, are among the senior figures appointed Deputy Directors-General, while former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, will oversee mobilisation.

James Abiodun Faleke was appointed Deputy Director-General for election planning, coordination and monitoring, with officials designated to coordinate activities across the six geopolitical zones.

The campaign council also includes prominent figures in the administration, party leadership, media, legal, mobilisation and other sectors.

President Tinubu has charged members of the campaign council to work towards victory for the APC, urging them to communicate the achievements of his administration and present its record to voters.

“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress,” Tinubu said in announcing the council.

He urged members of the campaign team to showcase the administration’s achievements and “inspire hope in every corner of our nation” as the campaign season approaches.

For Yobo, whose football career earned him 101 international caps and made him one of Nigeria’s most recognisable sporting figures, the new assignment represents a transition from leadership on the football pitch to political mobilisation.