Atiku unveils ADC campaign council, names El-Rufai, ex-APC chairman Oyegun, Tambuwal, Momodu, Melaye, others
By KEMI KASUMU
The campaign’s senior advisers include former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha. Also listed are former Minister of State for Defence Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki.
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election.
The campaign council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman.
Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for coordinating the campaign’s day-to-day operations and implementing its strategy nationwide.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
Shaibu is also a member of the campaign structure.
Other prominent members include former Edo State Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, who will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.
Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was named Deputy Director-General in charge of Contact and Mobilisation, while veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will serve as Deputy Director-General of Media and Communications.
The campaign’s senior advisers include former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
Also listed are former Minister of State for Defence Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki.
Hayatu-Deen leads policy team
Businessman and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen was appointed chairman of the Policy Team, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as Deputy Chairman.
Other members include former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi, while Aare Aremijoye will serve as secretary.
The campaign structure comprises six operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
The directorates cover administration, operations, media and communications, contact and mobilisation, diversity and support groups, as well as technical and systems operations.
The campaign said the structure was designed to ensure clearly defined responsibilities, reduce duplication and strengthen accountability.
According to Shaibu, the campaign will focus on issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
“This is a structure built for work. Every directorate has a duty. Every director has an assignment. Every appointee must account for results,” Shaibu said.
The campaign said its measure of success would include how effectively it addresses economic challenges facing Nigerians and organises around its stated policy priorities.
The unveiling comes as political parties and opposition groups intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku is the ADC’s presidential candidate, while former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi is the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
The ADC campaign council is expected to coordinate Atiku and Amaechi’s campaign activities nationwide as the party prepares for the 2027 election.
