Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has announced his National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee ahead of the 2027 general election, handing former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, a key role as Deputy Chairman.
Atiku announced the campaign structure in a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesman and Director of Strategic Communication of the campaign, Phrank Shaibu.
The council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Kaduna governor, will serve as Deputy Chairman.
El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and is facing multiple charges filed by the Federal Government and Kaduna State Government. He has been in detention since February.
According to Shaibu, Atiku deliberately approved a “lean” campaign structure, citing the economic difficulties facing Nigerians and the need for the campaign to demonstrate discipline and accountability.
“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, has approved the composition of a lean and strategically structured National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee.
“The size and character of the Council deliberately reflect the mood of the nation and the severe economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians. 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.
“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.”
On El-Rufai’s appointment, the statement said: “Serving as Deputy Chairman is Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Kaduna State. El-Rufai brings extensive experience in public administration, political organisation and executive governance to the leadership of the Council. His role will include high-level political coordination and engagement with critical stakeholders across the country.”
The day-to-day management and coordination of the campaign will be led by Senator Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Akobundu, a serving senator representing Abia Central, retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and former Minister of State for Defence, was described by the campaign as bringing together military discipline, administrative experience, legislative exposure and years of political organisation.
“As Director-General, he will sit at the operational centre of the campaign, with responsibility for translating strategy into action, coordinating the various arms of the campaign and ensuring discipline, cohesion and accountability across its national structure,” the statement said.
The campaign said its operations would be organised into six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
“Working across these directorates are 30 Directors, each assigned clearly defined responsibilities. The structure has been deliberately kept lean to prevent duplication, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that every office has a specific function and every appointee is accountable for results.”
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will head the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General and coordinate the campaign’s media and communications operations across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.
Former Senator Dino Melaye will also play a key role in the campaign structure, with the statement citing his political experience and public engagement as part of efforts to strengthen national outreach, mobilisation and public interface.
The campaign’s policy architecture will be coordinated by Mohammed Hayatudeen, an economist, banker and public policy practitioner who heads the Policy Team.
He will work with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as Deputy Chairman and Aare Aremijoye as Secretary to develop policy proposals based on what the campaign described as the concerns and aspirations of Nigerians.
The campaign also named Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as part of its policy team, citing his experience in monetary policy, financial-sector governance, international affairs and economic development.
The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
Former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa will serve as Deputy Chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will serve as Secretary.
The campaign said the structure was designed around what it described as a simple philosophy of reducing bureaucracy while assigning clear responsibilities to members.
“The philosophy underlying the campaign structure is straightforward: fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability,” the statement said.
