The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled a 69-member National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee ahead of the 2027 general election.
The campaign council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been appointed Deputy Chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager, overseeing the day-to-day coordination of the campaign.
The appointments were announced on Thursday in Abuja by Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
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The campaign structure also features a Campaign Advisory Board chaired by former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.
Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa were named Deputy Chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) will serve as Secretary.
According to Atiku, the decision to adopt a relatively lean campaign structure was deliberate and aimed at reflecting the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.
He said the campaign would avoid what he described as “ornamental appointments” and instead focus on clearly defined responsibilities, accountability and effective coordination.
The former Vice President said the structure was designed to demonstrate prudence at a time when households across the country are dealing with rising economic pressures.
He added that the campaign would operate as a “people-driven organisation”, with emphasis on competence, national inclusion, accountability and measurable results.
El-Rufai, Akobundu Take Key Roles
Atiku described Ibrahim-Imam as an experienced political organiser and administrator with extensive involvement in national politics.
He said El-Rufai, who previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Governor of Kaduna State, would be responsible for high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.
Akobundu, meanwhile, will oversee the campaign’s daily operations and coordinate its various arms in his capacity as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The campaign has been organised into six operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General. Thirty directors have also been assigned specific portfolios within the directorates.
According to the campaign, the arrangement is intended to minimise duplication, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that every office has a clearly defined responsibility.
Dele Momodu Heads Media Directorate
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has been appointed Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.
He will coordinate the campaign’s media and communication activities across traditional media, broadcasting and digital platforms.
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye will also play a role in the campaign’s contact and mobilisation efforts, while economist and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen will coordinate the Policy Team.
The Policy Team is expected to work with other professionals, including Professor Mohammed Sagagi and Professor Kingsley Moghalu, on policy proposals addressing issues raised by Nigerians.
Campaign To Focus On Economic Challenges
Atiku said the campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the cost of food, transportation and energy, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
He said the campaign would prioritise discussions around policies and practical solutions rather than simply creating political positions.
“This campaign belongs to the Nigerian people,” Atiku said, adding that the organisation would be judged by the effectiveness of its operations, the clarity of its policies and its response to the concerns of Nigerians.
The unveiling of the campaign council marks another stage in the ADC‘s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the structure expected to coordinate its political mobilisation, communications, policy engagement and nationwide campaign activities.
