Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, named as Deputy Chairman.
The campaign council, announced on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications to Atiku, is headed by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as Chairman, while Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Politics Nigeria reports that the unveiling marks the formal constitution of Atiku’s campaign machinery as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 presidential election. The party had previously said consultations were ongoing over the composition of its campaign structure.
Atiku is contesting the election on the ADC platform alongside former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who is the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
According to the structure released by the campaign, former Edo State Governor John Oyegun will chair the Campaign Advisory Board, with Lawal Batagarawa as Deputy Chairman and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as Secretary.
The Policy Team will be chaired by Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as Deputy Chairman. Other members include Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi.
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha are among the seven listed Senior Campaign Advisers.
The campaign management structure is divided into six major operational directorates: Administration, Operations, Media and Communications, Contact and Mobilisation, Diversity and Support Groups, and Technical and Systems.
Dele Momodu was named Deputy Director-General of Media and Communications, while former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye will head Contact and Mobilisation.
The Media and Communications directorate also includes Phrank Shaibu as Director of Strategic Communication, Kola Ologbondiyan as Director of Media and Publicity, Ladan Salihu as Director of Branding and Moji Rhodes-Vivour as Director of Digital and Online Media.
Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Uche Diala and Dahiru Maishanu were listed as campaign spokespersons.
The Contact and Mobilisation directorate will include Solomon Dalung, who will oversee Mandate Protection, while Naomi Labari will head Women Mobilisation and Balarabe Rufai will be responsible for Youth Mobilisation.
Other notable appointments include Lauretta Onochie as Deputy Director-General of Technical and Systems, while Salihu Tanko Yakasai will oversee Diversity and Support Groups.
The campaign said the structure was designed as a lean, people-driven organisation focused on addressing issues affecting Nigerians, particularly the rising 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 in the statement announcing the council.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Atiku has urged Nigerians to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.
Atiku made the call on Thursday in Akure, Ondo State, during a reception organised for Eyitayo Jegede, a former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who formally defected to the ADC alongside his supporters.
The former Vice President accused the APC-led administration of worsening the country’s economic situation and urged Nigerians to support the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party members at the event, Atiku clarified that the gathering was not a campaign rally, but said he would return to the state to formally present the ADC’s plans to the electorate.
“This is not a campaign rally; this is a welcome rally. We are going to come back for a campaign rally. We will let you know what ADC is going to do for you, for your future and next generations of Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku said the party had already begun outlining some of its proposed policies, including a commitment to restore fuel subsidy and strengthen security across the country.
“Of course, we have started releasing teasers. We are committed to returning subsidy. Secondly, we are committed to returning security to all over this country. No part of this country will feel insecure anymore,” he added.
The ADC candidate also criticised the APC administration over the state of the economy, contrasting its performance with the economic conditions during his tenure as Vice President.