TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, as Director of Air Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 presidential re-election campaign.

The appointment places Keyamo in charge of coordinating air travel and aviation logistics for the ruling party’s nationwide campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, announced the appointment in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

Under the new arrangement, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, will serve as Deputy Director I, while the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Farouk Umar, has been named Deputy Director II.

Moshood said the directorate would oversee flight arrangements for designated campaign officials and personnel, coordinate aviation-related logistics and support campaign activities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

He explained that the unit would work with other campaign directorates to ensure effective scheduling, proper coordination and efficient use of logistical resources throughout the campaign period.

According to the presidential campaign team, the appointment reflects the importance of air transportation to a nationwide campaign that will require political leaders and campaign officials to travel between multiple locations within tight schedules.

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Moshood said Keyamo’s experience in the aviation sector was expected to contribute to the planning and coordination of the directorate’s operations. He also cited the minister’s policy initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s aviation industry, improving its international standing and positioning the country as a major aviation hub in Africa.

He added that Kuku and Umar would bring their respective administrative and technical experience to the team, supporting the coordination of air transport arrangements for campaign activities.

The spokesperson further stressed that the directorate would need to maintain effective collaboration with other campaign structures, establish clear operational procedures and comply with aviation safety standards and applicable electoral laws.

He also emphasised that campaign logistics must remain separate from official government functions and be handled through duly authorised channels.

The appointment comes as the APC advances preparations for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, with the party’s campaign structure expected to coordinate activities across the country.