APC keeps Olawande as youth campaign director after Dayo Israel row

The APC presidential campaign council has named Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande as director of its youth mobilisation directorate, with APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel as his deputy. Israel says his promotion to director was announced at the council's meeting on 20 October and then reversed, Punch reported.

In a statement by its secretary, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, the council announced changes to its structure, BusinessDay and Punch reported. It created a new Directorate of Stage Organisation and Management, led by Farouk Aliyu, and named Olawande director of youth mobilisation and Israel deputy director. For women mobilisation, it named Mary Aille Idele director, former minister Betta Edu deputy director and Imaan Suleman secretary.

Israel said in a statement on X on 21 October that his elevation to director was announced at the end of the council's inaugural meeting and that party leaders congratulated him, before a later message restored the earlier arrangement. “I did not manufacture an announcement,” he wrote. He noted that both men already held the same posts on the list published on 13 October, and called for clearer communication of decisions.

The row played out in public on X, with supporters on both sides arguing over whether a party official can rank above a serving minister, Punch reported.

Olawande has appeared alongside Seyi Tinubu on youth outreach for the campaign. In late August he accompanied Seyi to a meeting with the campaign council's Director-General, Abdul'aziz Yari, on youth mobilisation for 2027, ThisDay reported. He also spoke at the City Boy Movement's State House event on 19 October.

Pidgin: APC presidential campaign council don name Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande as director of im youth mobilisation directorate, and APC National Youth Leader Dayo Israel na im deputy. Israel talk say dem first announce say e don become director for di council meeting of 20 October, before dem reverse am.

How this affects you: This directorate runs the APC's campaign outreach to young voters before the January 2027 election, so it decides who speaks to you for the party's youth campaign. The public row shows disagreement within the party's youth ranks.