Atiku Unveils 2027 Campaign Council, Names El-Rufai, Momodu, Melaye

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled his campaign council for the 2027 presidential election, appointing Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman.

The campaign structure was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications for the council and Senior Special Assistant to Atiku on Public Communication.

The council brings together politicians and professionals who will oversee different areas of the campaign as the ADC prepares for the 2027 election.

Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager. He will coordinate the activities of the council and oversee the implementation of its campaign plans.

The campaign structure includes six Deputy Directors-General who will supervise different directorates, alongside 30 directors responsible for various portfolios.

Atiku remains the presidential candidate, while former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is listed as the vice-presidential candidate. Senator David Mark is the National Chairman of the ADC, while Ibrahim-Imam heads the campaign council and El-Rufai serves as his deputy.

The Campaign Advisory Board will be chaired by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Lawal Batagarawa was named deputy chairman, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will serve as secretary. Senator Ireti Kingibe and Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed are members of the board.

Mohammed Hayatudeen will head the Policy Team, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as deputy chairman. The team also includes Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi, while Aare Aremijoye will serve as secretary.

The campaign appointed several senior politicians as advisers, including former governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Imo State Deputy Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki.

In the Campaign Management Committee, Akobundu will continue as Director-General and Campaign Manager. CID Maduabum was appointed head of Research and Documentation, while Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN, will lead Legal Services.

The Administration Directorate will be headed by Yusuf Suleiman as Deputy Director-General. Its responsibilities cover administration, general services, special duties, finance and accounts, logistics, protocol and medical services, with different officials assigned to each unit.

Chief Ralph Nwosu will serve as Deputy Director-General of the Operations Directorate. The directorate will oversee organisation and field operations, strategy and planning, security, and diaspora and foreign operations. The campaign chart did not name a head for intelligence.

Dele Momodu was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate. The directorate will handle strategic communication, media and publicity, branding, digital and online media, as well as content development.

Phrank Shaibu, Kola Ologbondiyan, Ladan Salihu, Moji Rhodes-Vivour and David Iyofor were assigned to various media roles. Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala and Dahiru Maishanu were listed as spokespersons, while Chief Charles Ojugbana was named campaign MC.

Senator Dino Melaye will lead the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate as Deputy Director-General. The directorate will cover mandate protection, women mobilisation, support for persons with disabilities, stakeholder engagement and youth mobilisation.

Salihu Tanko Yakasai will oversee the Diversity and Support Groups Directorate. Its areas include support groups, NGOs and civil society organisations, business and professional bodies, gender issues, and the entertainment and creative industry.

Lauretta Onochie was appointed Deputy Director-General of the Technical and Systems Directorate. Her team will handle election operations and management, polling unit operations, voter intelligence, monitoring and evaluation, and the campaign situation room.

According to the campaign, the council was designed around issues affecting Nigerians, including rising food and transport costs, reduced income, unemployment, insecurity and falling purchasing power.

The unveiling of the campaign council marks another step in the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the various directorates expected to coordinate the party’s campaign activities across different areas.