Convicted Ex-Governors Nyame, Dariye Join Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign Team

President Bola Tinubu has appointed two former governors convicted over the diversion of public funds, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, as members of his 2027 presidential campaign council.

The appointments were announced on Saturday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Nyame, a former governor of Taraba State, and Dariye, who governed Plateau State, were appointed to serve in the Contact and Mobilisation Division of the campaign council.

Nyame, 70, served as Taraba governor from 1999 to 2007. In 2018, he was sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted over the diversion of N1.64bn in state funds while in office.

He was, however, granted a presidential pardon by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 after spending about four years in prison.

Dariye, who served as Plateau State governor from 1999 to 2007, was also convicted over the misappropriation of about N2bn in public funds.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2018, although the sentence was later reduced to 10 years. Like Nyame, Dariye received a presidential pardon from Buhari in 2022.

In the statement, Onanuga quoted Tinubu as urging members of the campaign council to work towards securing victory for the President in the 2027 election.

“We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

“As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet—let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards.”

The appointments have also drawn attention to the inclusion of other political figures who have faced allegations or investigations over financial misconduct.

According to report, Ngozi Olejeme, a former chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, and Betta Edu, a former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, have also been named members of the campaign council.

Olejeme is expected to serve as Zonal Director for Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilisation in the South-South, while Edu will serve as Director of Women Mobilisation.

Olejeme is facing trial over an alleged N1bn fraud, while Edu has been under investigation over an alleged N585m payment into a private account. The development contributed to her removal from office by Tinubu in January 2024.

The inclusion of the former governors and other figures facing corruption-related allegations is likely to attract scrutiny as the ruling All Progressives Congress begins preparations for the 2027 presidential election.