Atiku Unveils Presidential Campaign Council 4 Months to Elections

African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the structure of his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam named as chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, appointed deputy chairman.

The appointments were announced on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the campaign council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.

Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager. He is expected to coordinate the different sections of the campaign and oversee the implementation of its plans across the country. The structure has six major operational directorates, with 30 directors assigned to specific responsibilities.

Among the prominent names in the council are veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu, who will serve as Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate, and former Senator Dino Melaye, who will oversee Contact and Mobilisation.

The Campaign Advisory Board will be chaired by former Edo State Governor, John Oyegun, while Lawal Batagarawa will serve as deputy chairman and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as secretary.

The policy team will be headed by Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as deputy chairman. Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi are also members of the team.

Former governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Emeka Ihedioha are among the senior campaign advisers.

Other appointments include Salihu Tanko Yakasai as Deputy Director-General of Diversity and Support Groups, Lauretta Onochie as Deputy Director-General of Technical and Systems, and Ralph Nwosu as Deputy Director-General of Operations.

Shaibu said the campaign structure was designed around the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, including rising food and transport costs, unemployment, insecurity and falling purchasing power.

Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying the council’s success would be measured by how clearly it addressed the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

The unveiling of the council provides the formal structure through which Atiku’s campaign is expected to coordinate its activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.