By Samuel Olusegun Precious
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has named a former presidential aspirant, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, as Chairman of his 2027 National Campaign Council, with former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as Deputy Chairman.
Former Vice President Atiku announced the appointments in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who will serve as Director of Strategic Communications of the Council.
According to the former VP, the council will operate a lean structure of six operational directorates and 30 directors to ensure accountability and effective coordination.
Other key appointments are:Austin Akobundu – Director-General and Campaign Manager, to oversee day-to-day running and implementation of strategies.
Dele Momodu – Deputy Director-General, Media and Communications Directorate.
John Odigie-Oyegun, former Edo Governor and pioneer APC National Chairman – Chairman, Campaign Advisory Council, with Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa as Deputy Chairmen and Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as Secretary.
The campaign’s policy team will be led by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, supported by Prof. Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye.
Former CBN Deputy Governor, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, was also listed as a policy contributor.
Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was named as part of the national outreach and mobilisation team.
Atiku said the appointments reflect the mood of the nation and economic hardship facing Nigerians.
He said: “This will not be a bloated campaign built around titles, privileges and political patronage. It will operate as a people-driven organisation anchored on competence, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined responsibilities and measurable results.”
He added that El-Rufai brings extensive experience in public administration and will handle high-level political coordination and stakeholder engagement.The former Vice President said the campaign will focus on cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, and poor governance.
INEC’s timetable fixes August 19 for commencement of presidential campaigns.
Moghalu Rejects Appointment
Meanwhile, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has publicly rejected his inclusion in Atiku’s policy team. In a statement on his X handle on Thursday, Moghalu said he was not consulted and did not give consent.
“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. For the record: I was not consulted and did not give my consent,” he said.
Moghalu, who contested the 2019 presidential election on the platform of Young Progressives Party (YPP), said he had quit partisan politics in 2022 and remains non-partisan as President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa) and CEO of Sogato Strategies.”I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship,” he stated.
