By David Lawani, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, appointing prominent political figures and professionals to key positions, even as former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, rejected his inclusion in the campaign’s Policy Team.
The council, approved by ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman.
The appointments were announced Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for coordinating the council’s operations and implementing its campaign strategy.
According to Shaibu, the structure comprises six Deputy Directors-General overseeing various operational directorates, with 30 directors’ assigned specific responsibilities.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, will head the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was appointed Director of Contact and Mobilisation.
Former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC, John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.
The Policy Team will be chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, alongside Professor Mohammed Sagagi and other members, including Moghalu.
*Moghalu rejects inclusion in campaign team
Moghalu, however, publicly disowned the appointment, saying he was neither consulted nor asked for his consent before his name was included in the campaign structure.
“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.
The former CBN deputy governor further stated that he was not part of Atiku’s campaign team, either formally or informally.
“I am NOT, in fact, a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity,” Moghalu said.
He explained that he had withdrawn from partisan politics since 2022 and maintained a non-partisan position in national affairs.
“I am not a member or sympathiser of any political party in Nigeria,” he said.
Moghalu said his current engagements were centred on public policy and geopolitical strategy, identifying himself as President of IGET Africa, a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy, and CEO of Sogato Strategies.
“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment,” he said.
“I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship.”
*ADC outlines campaign priorities
Meanwhile, Shaibu said the campaign council was deliberately structured as a lean, people-driven organisation with clearly defined responsibilities and accountability.
He said the campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
“When families are struggling with food prices, transport costs and shrinking incomes, a campaign asking for their trust must show discipline in how it operates,” Shaibu said.
He added that the effectiveness of the campaign would be measured by its ability to address those concerns.
“Our measure of success will be how clearly we address the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power—and how effectively we organise to make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.
The campaign council is expected to coordinate Atiku’s presidential campaign activities nationwide ahead of the 2027 elections.
