2027: Atiku Unveils ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Appoints El-Rufai Deputy Chair, Akobundu DG As Moghalu Rejects Role

• Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has constituted the leadership of his 2027 presidential campaign under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), naming Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman.

• Atiku also appointed Senator Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager, placing him in charge of the day-to-day running of the campaign, while veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, was named Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.

• The former Vice-President said the campaign would operate through six directorates and 30 directors, describing the lean structure as a deliberate response to the economic hardship facing Nigerians and a rejection of what he called bloated political structures and patronage.

• But the unveiling suffered an immediate embarrassment as former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, publicly disowned his purported appointment to the policy team, saying he was neither consulted nor gave consent to the use of his name.

September 25, () – Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled his campaign council for the 2027 presidential election, naming former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman in a structure that brings together veteran politicians, administrators and media professionals.

Atiku named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam chairman of the National Campaign Council, while Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.

Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, was named Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.

The appointments, announced in a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign council, Phrank Shaibu, are part of an organisational framework the former Vice-President said was deliberately designed to be lean and results-driven.

However, the announcement was followed by an immediate controversy after former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, rejected his inclusion in the campaign’s policy team, saying he was neither consulted nor gave his consent.

El-Rufai Gets Political Coordination Role

Atiku said Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organiser and administrator, would provide overall leadership for the campaign council, while El-Rufai would undertake high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.

El-Rufai, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory before becoming governor of Kaduna State, is expected to bring his experience in public administration, executive governance and political organisation to the campaign.

Akobundu, according to the statement, will supervise the day-to-day operations of the campaign, coordinate its various arms and implement its strategies.

The campaign structure is divided into six operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.

Atiku said the arrangement was intended to eliminate duplication and bureaucracy and ensure that every official was accountable for clearly defined results.

“This will not be a bloated campaign built around titles, privileges and political patronage,” Atiku said, adding that the structure would be anchored on “competence, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined responsibilities and measurable results.”

Momodu, Melaye, Hayatu-Deen Listed

Momodu will coordinate media and communications activities across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.

Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was also listed as part of the campaign’s wider mobilisation and public engagement efforts.

Economist and banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, was named to lead the policy team, supported by Prof. Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye.

The campaign also listed former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, as a contributor to the policy team. That inclusion, however, was swiftly challenged by Moghalu.

Moghalu: I Was Not Consulted

In a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, Moghalu said he was surprised to see his name included in the campaign announcement.

“For the record: I was not consulted and did not give my consent to my name being published as a member of the ADC candidate’s policy team”, he said.

Moghalu further stated that he was “not, in fact, a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity.”

The former CBN deputy governor said he had withdrawn from partisan politics since 2022 and remained committed to a non-partisan role in Nigeria’s public affairs.

He said his current engagements included his work with the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa), a public policy think tank, and Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.

“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment. I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship”, Moghalu stated.

Oyegun Chairs Advisory Council

Beyond the campaign council, Atiku appointed former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, as chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council.

Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa were named deputy chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, was appointed secretary.

Atiku said the campaign would focus on issues including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and governance.

He said the structure was deliberately designed around “fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.”

“There will be no room for ornamental appointments. Every directorate has a responsibility. Every director has an assignment. And every level of the campaign structure will be expected to account for results”, he said.