The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman of his 2027 National Campaign Council, with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, named deputy chairman.
The appointments are part of a campaign structure comprising six operational directorates and 30 directors, which Mr Atiku said was designed to ensure clear responsibilities, accountability and effective coordination.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign council, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Atiku also named Senator Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.
Mr Atiku said the structure was deliberately kept lean because of the economic challenges facing Nigerians.
“The size and character of the council deliberately reflect the mood of the nation and the severe economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians,” he said.
“At a time when families are being compelled to do more with less, the campaign must demonstrate the same discipline, prudence and sensitivity it seeks to bring to government.”
Ibrahim-Imam, El-Rufai to lead council
Mr Atiku described Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as an experienced political organiser and administrator with decades of involvement in national politics.
He said Mr Ibrahim-Imam would provide overall leadership for the National Campaign Council.
On Mr El-Rufai, the former vice-president described him as a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Kaduna State with experience in public administration and political organisation.
Mr Atiku said the former governor’s responsibilities would include high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.
Akobundu to coordinate campaign operations
Senator Austin Akobundu, as Director-General and Campaign Manager, will oversee the day-to-day running of the campaign.
According to the campaign, Mr Akobundu will be responsible for implementing its strategies, coordinating its various arms and maintaining discipline, unity and accountability across the national structure.
The campaign council has six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General.
The structure also includes 30 directors with specific portfolios.
Momodu, Melaye get key roles
Dele Momodu will head the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General, coordinating the campaign’s media operations across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.
Senator Dino Melaye will also play a key role in the campaign’s national mobilisation and public engagement.
The campaign said economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen would lead its policy team, supported by Professor Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye.
Moghalu rejects campaign appointment
However, one of the names announced as part of the policy team has rejected the appointment.
Former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu, said he was neither consulted nor asked for his consent before his name was included in the campaign’s policy team.
Mr Moghalu made the clarification in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, hours after the campaign council was unveiled.
“I am surprised to see a statement from @atiku and @ADCNig campaign team including my name as a member of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s policy team for the 2027 presidential campaign,” he said.
“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.
“I am NOT, in fact a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity,” Mr Moghalu added.
Moghalu says he remains non-partisan
Mr Moghalu, who contested the 2019 presidential election under the Young Progressives Party, said he left partisan politics in Nigeria in 2022.
“I have quit partisan politics in Nigeria since 2022. I have maintained, and continue to maintain, my non-partisan posture in our country’s national affairs,” he said.
“I am not a member or sympathiser of any political party in Nigeria.”
Mr Moghalu said his decision to remain outside partisan politics did not mean he had withdrawn from national affairs.
“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment,” he said.
“I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship.”
Campaign to focus on economic challenges
Mr Atiku said his campaign would focus on issues including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and governance.
He said the effectiveness of the campaign would be measured by its organisation, policy clarity and ability to address concerns raised by Nigerians.
The campaign structure comes ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with INEC’s timetable providing for the commencement of presidential campaigns on 19 August.
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