The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election, setting out a broad organisational structure to coordinate his campaign across the country.
The 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, taking charge of the day-to-day coordination of the campaign and the implementation of its strategy.
The appointments were announced by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
The campaign says its structure is designed around the economic pressures facing Nigerians, with issues such as rising food and transportation costs, unemployment, declining purchasing power, insecurity and governance expected to feature prominently in its engagement with voters.
The campaign organisation has been divided into six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific areas of responsibility.
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has been named to oversee Media and Communications, while former Senator Dino Melaye is expected to play a role in contact, mobilisation and public engagement.
The policy arm will be coordinated by businessman and economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi and other policy figures listed to support the development of the campaign’s policy proposals.
Former Edo State Governor and pioneer APC National Chairman John Oyegun will chair the Campaign Advisory Council, supported by Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa as Deputy Chairmen, with Eyitayo Jegede serving as Secretary.
The campaign says the arrangement is intended to give each arm clearly defined responsibilities while limiting duplication and administrative layers.
The unveiling marks a significant step in the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential contest, with the party now moving from the selection of its candidate to the establishment of a nationwide campaign structure.
Atiku, a former Vice-President, is seeking the presidency for the ADC after moving to the party ahead of the 2027 election. His running mate is former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, while Senator David Mark serves as the ADC National Chairman.
However, one aspect of the announcement has already generated clarification. Former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Kingsley Moghalu, whose name appeared in reports concerning the policy team, said he was not consulted and had not consented to serve in the campaign. He stated that he had remained outside partisan politics since 2022.
The development comes as political parties and presidential contenders begin positioning their organisations and policy platforms ahead of the 2027 general election, with campaign structures expected to play a central role in nationwide mobilisation and voter engagement.
