Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has unveiled the Presidential Campaign Council of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai appointed as deputy chairman.
Gatekeepers News reports that the campaign structure was announced on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council. The council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
El-Rufai, who previously served as governor of Kaduna State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is expected to work with the council’s chairman in coordinating the campaign structure ahead of the 2027 election.
The campaign organisation comprises six major operational directorates, with six Deputy Directors-General and 30 directors assigned to specific responsibilities.
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu was named Deputy Director-General in charge of the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye will handle contact, mobilisation and public engagement.
Economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen will coordinate the campaign’s policy structure. Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, is also listed among members of the policy team.
The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will serve as secretary, while other members include former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa.
Seven senior campaign advisers were also listed, including former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.
Akobundu, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and former Minister of State for Defence, currently represents Abia Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. He previously served in several party positions and was appointed minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
The campaign team said the structure was deliberately kept lean, with responsibilities clearly assigned across its various directorates. According to the statement, the arrangement is intended to focus the campaign on issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
Atiku, who secured the ADC presidential ticket earlier in 2026, will contest the 2027 presidential election with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
