Atiku names Kashim-Ibrahim campaign chair, El-Rufai deputy

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman of his 2027 National Campaign Council, with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appointed deputy chairman.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who also serves as the campaign council’s Director of Strategic Communications, the former Vice-President also appointed Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager, while veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, will serve as Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.

Atiku said the appointments formed part of a lean campaign structure with six operational directorates and 30 directors, designed to ensure clear responsibilities, accountability and effective coordination.

The former Vice-President added, “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.

“The National Campaign Council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organiser and administrator with decades of involvement in national politics.

“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.”

He said Akobundu, the Director-General and Campaign Manager, would oversee the day-to-day running and coordination of the campaign.

According to Atiku, Akobundu would be responsible for implementing the campaign’s strategies, coordinating its various arms and maintaining discipline, unity and accountability across the national structure.

He added that the campaign had been divided into six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General to ensure effective coordination.

The statement added that, “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.

“The Media and Communications Directorate will be headed by veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu as Deputy Director-General. He will coordinate the campaign’s media and communications operations across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.

“Also playing a key role in the campaign structure is Dino Melaye, whose political experience and public engagement will form part of the wider effort to strengthen the campaign’s national outreach, mobilisation and public interface.”

The former Vice-President said economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen would lead the campaign’s policy team, supported by Prof Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye.

He added that Prof Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, would also contribute his expertise to the campaign’s policy development.

The statement continued, “The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former governor of Edo State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, with Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa serving as Deputy Chairmen and Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as Secretary.

“The philosophy underlying the campaign structure is straightforward: fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.

“There are six operational directorates headed by Deputy Directors-General and 30 Directors responsible for defined areas of campaign activity.

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“The Director-General will coordinate their execution, while the Chairman and Deputy Chairman provide political leadership and strategic coordination.

“There will be no room for ornamental appointments. Every directorate has a responsibility. Every director has an assignment. And every level of the campaign structure will be expected to account for results.”

Atiku said the campaign would focus not only on political mobilisation but also on key issues affecting Nigerians, including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, reduced purchasing power and poor governance.

He said the campaign would be people-oriented, with its effectiveness measured by its organisation, policy clarity and commitment to addressing the concerns of Nigerians.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s 2027 election timetable, political parties were expected to commence presidential campaigns on August 19.

Although the parties have yet to formally flag off their campaigns, several presidential candidates and their teams have been engaging key stakeholders and supporters across the country ahead of the official campaign activities.

Moghalu rejects appointment

Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in the policy team.

Moghalu, in a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, said he was neither consulted nor asked for his consent before his name was published as a member of Atiku’s campaign policy team.

“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 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,” Moghalu said.

Moghalu, who was a presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party in the 2019 election, said he had quit 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.

“I am not a member or sympathiser of any political party in Nigeria,” he said.

He said his current engagements included serving as president of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation, IGET Africa, which he described as a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy, as well as Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.

Moghalu said his decision to remain outside partisan politics did not mean he was disengaged from national affairs.

“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment.

“I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship,” he said.