Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in the policy team of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Moghalu said he was neither consulted nor asked to give his consent before his name was published as a member of Atiku’s campaign policy team.
His clarification came shortly after Atiku unveiled his campaign structure on Thursday, September 24, with Moghalu listed among members of the Policy Team headed by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Prof. Mohammed Sagagi was named deputy chairman of the team.
Reacting to the announcement, Moghalu said he was surprised to find his name on the list, stressing that he had not agreed to participate in the campaign in any capacity.
“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,” he said in a statement.
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He further clarified that he was not a member of Atiku’s policy team, either officially or unofficially, and did not serve as an adviser to the former vice-president.
Moghalu reaffirms non-partisan position
The former CBN deputy governor also reiterated that he had withdrawn from partisan politics since 2022.
He said he had maintained a non-partisan position in national affairs and was neither a member nor sympathiser of any political party in Nigeria.
Moghalu explained that his current engagements are focused on public policy and geopolitical risk advisory services.
He serves 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. He is also Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
According to him, his decision to remain outside partisan politics does not mean he is disengaged from Nigeria’s development.
“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.
Atiku unveils campaign structure
Moghalu’s rejection followed the unveiling of Atiku’s 2027 campaign structure.
The campaign named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was appointed deputy chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The campaign said its Policy Team would work on proposals addressing issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
However, Moghalu’s statement makes clear that his inclusion on the announced list did not reflect his consent or participation in Atiku’s campaign.