KEY POINTS
-
The AAC has asked Tinubu to provide the Presidential Villa and logistics for 5,000 campaign council members.
-
The party wants to hold its inauguration on November 11, citing the APC’s recent event at the State House.
-
The Presidency had not publicly responded to the request as of Wednesday.
The African Action Congress (AAC), led by its presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has asked President Bola Tinubu to approve the use of the Presidential Villa in Abuja for the inauguration of its presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general election.
The party is also requesting food, drinks and other logistical support for 5,000 members expected to attend the event.
In a letter dated October 21, 2026, the AAC asked the president to approve November 11 for the inauguration, citing Tinubu’s recent use of the State House Conference Centre to inaugurate the presidential campaign council of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party said its request was based on the principles of multiparty democracy, political inclusion and equal treatment of political parties.
Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, shared the letter on Facebook on Wednesday. It was signed by the party’s National Secretary, Oshiokhue Ikpeminoghena.
In the letter, the AAC argued that granting its request would demonstrate the Presidency’s commitment to fairness and ensure that public institutions serve 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 party said.
The party also asked the president to communicate the procedures and conditions governing approval of the venue and other requests.
The AAC’s request follows Tinubu’s inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on October 14.
However, the State House statement on that event did not indicate that the APC received food, drinks or other logistical support for 5,000 people, or that it was granted exclusive use of the Presidential Villa.
It was not immediately clear whether the Presidency had formally received or responded to the AAC’s letter as of Wednesday.
Tinubu inaugurates APC campaign council
During the APC campaign council inauguration, Tinubu urged party leaders and council members to work together to secure his re-election in 2027.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement after the ceremony that the president called for unity, commitment and dedication among party members.
Tinubu also urged the party to maintain focus on the administration’s governance priorities while its campaign council mobilised support across states and local government areas.
The inauguration marked an early step in the ruling party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore to contest third presidential election
Sowore, who founded Sahara Reporters, contested the 2019 and 2023 presidential elections under the AAC. He is also the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
The AAC’s request places the question of access to public facilities at the centre of a wider discussion about political fairness as parties prepare for the next general election.
Whether the party will be granted the requested venue and logistical support remains uncertain, with no official response from the Presidency reported at the time of publication.
