The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election, naming former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, publisher Dele Momodu and former lawmaker Dino Melaye among key figures in the campaign structure.
The council, approved by Atiku, will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while El-Rufai will serve as deputy chairman. Senator Austin Okwudiri Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
According to the statement, the structure was designed to reflect the economic challenges facing Nigerians, including rising food prices, transportation costs, unemployment and declining purchasing power.
Akobundu, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, former Minister of State for Defence and serving senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, will coordinate the political and operational activities of the campaign.
The council also includes a six-member Campaign Advisory Board chaired by former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Oyegun.
Other members of the advisory board include Lawal Batagarawa as deputy chairman, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as secretary, as well as Senator Ireti Kingibe and Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will lead the presidential campaign, with Rotimi Amaechi listed as the vice-presidential candidate.
The campaign’s policy team will be headed by businessman and economist Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Prof. Mohammed Sagagi serving as deputy chairman. Other members include former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi.
In the campaign management structure, Dele Momodu will head the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General, while Dino Melaye will oversee Contact and Mobilisation.
The Media and Communications Directorate will also include Phrank Shaibu as head of strategic communication, Kola Ologbondiyan as head of media and publicity, Ladan Salihu as head of branding and Moji Rhodes-Vivour as head of digital and online media.
The campaign spokespersons listed include Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala and Alhaji Dahiru Maishanu.
The Contact and Mobilisation Directorate will have Senator Dino Melaye coordinating stakeholder engagement, youth mobilisation, women mobilisation and other grassroots activities.
Other members of the campaign structure include Salihu Tanko Yakasai, who will oversee the Diversity and Support Groups Directorate, and Lauretta Onochie, who will head the Technical and Systems Directorate.
The council also named senior campaign advisers, including Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki.
Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying the effectiveness of the campaign council would be measured by its ability to address issues affecting Nigerians, particularly the cost of living crisis, insecurity, unemployment and falling purchasing power.
