President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to lead the Air Mobilisation Directorate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.
The appointment places Keyamo in charge of coordinating air logistics for the ruling party’s nationwide campaign, a responsibility considered critical for moving campaign officials across the country during the election season.
Also appointed into the directorate are the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, who will serve as Deputy Director I, and Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar as Deputy Director II.
The appointments were announced in a statement issued on Sunday by Keyamo’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
According to the statement, the creation of the Air Mobilisation Directorate reflects the strategic role of aviation in organising a presidential campaign across Nigeria’s vast geographical landscape.
The directorate is expected to coordinate air transportation for campaign officials, oversee travel planning and ensure smooth movement of personnel to campaign events in the six geopolitical zones.
It said the team would also work with other campaign directorates to strengthen logistics, improve operational efficiency and ensure all activities comply with aviation regulations and electoral laws.
The statement expressed confidence that Keyamo’s experience as aviation minister would enhance the work of the directorate.
“His familiarity with the operational demands of the aviation industry is expected to provide useful leadership in coordinating the directorate’s activities and establishing an effective framework for air-mobilisation planning.”
The statement also highlighted the experience of the deputy directors.
“The appointment of Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku and Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar as Deputy Directors also brings aviation-sector leadership and technical experience into the directorate, strengthening its capacity to address the planning and coordination demands associated with nationwide campaign movements.”
On the importance of air transportation during election campaigns, the statement said:
“Air transportation is an important component of national campaign logistics, particularly where campaign leaders and officials are required to cover multiple locations within compressed schedules.”
It added that the directorate would provide structured support for the wider campaign organisation.
“The Directorate of Air Mobilisation is expected to support the broader campaign organisation through structured planning, coordination with relevant stakeholders, efficient scheduling and appropriate logistical arrangements.”
The statement further stressed that campaign activities would remain separate from official government operations.
“Its effectiveness will depend on collaboration with other campaign directorates, clear operational procedures and strict compliance with aviation safety requirements and all applicable laws governing political campaigns.
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