Sowore’s Party Seeks Aso Rock Villa For Campaign Council Inauguration

The African Action Congress (AAC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to approve the use of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, for the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was just as the party also requested food, drinks and other logistical support for the event scheduled for November 11, 2026.

It said the request was based on the principles of multiparty democracy, political inclusiveness and equal treatment of political parties.

The request was contained in a letter dated October 21, 2026, and signed by the AAC National Secretary, Oshiokhue Philip Ikpeminoghena.

In the letter shared on Wednesday by its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, the party argued that granting its request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and equal access to public institutions, regardless of political affiliation.

The AAC also cited arrangements reportedly extended to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for similar political engagements, arguing that public institutions should serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination.

“We believe that granting this request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness, equal access, and the principle that public institutions must serve all Nigerians without partisan discrimination,” the letter read.

The party said it would appreciate information on the procedures and conditions applicable to the approval of its request.

Politics Nigeria reports that the Presidency had yet to respond to the request as of the time of reporting.

The AAC’s request comes days after Tinubu inaugurated the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on October 14, 2026.

During the ceremony, the president declared that the ruling party was united and prepared to renew its covenant with Nigerians ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He charged members of the council and party leaders to demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication while keeping the administration’s governance priorities on track.

Tinubu also stressed the need for discipline and a shared sense of purpose, warning party members that their previous electoral victories would count for little without success in the next election.

“As I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and spirit full of resolve, it is my honour to inaugurate the presidential campaign council of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 General Election,” he said.

He added that party members would only receive credit for their efforts after delivering victory in the next election.

The use of the Presidential Villa for ruling party activities has previously attracted criticism from opposition parties.

In 2025, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticised the APC for holding its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.

The meeting, presided over by Tinubu at the Banquet Hall of the State House, resulted in the appointment of Nentawe Yilwatda, then minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction, as the APC national chairman. He succeeded Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned from the position in June.

Reacting to the development, the ADC’s then interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, argued that the State House was neither a party office nor a private residence.

The criticism followed another instance of the ruling party using the Presidential Villa for its internal activities. In 2020, the APC also held a NEC meeting at the Presidential Villa.