The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, September 24, unveiled his presidential campaign council, appointing Nasir El-Rufai, Dele Momodu and Dino Melaye to key positions ahead of the 2027 election.
The council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while El-Rufai, former Kaduna state governor, will serve as deputy chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed director-general and campaign manager.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s senior special assistant on public communication and director of strategic communications for the campaign council.
According to the statement, the campaign structure was designed around the economic challenges facing Nigerians, including rising food and transport costs and shrinking incomes.
The council comprises six deputy directors-general who will oversee its operational directorates, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
Campaign principals
Atiku Abubakar — Presidential candidate
Rotimi Amaechi — Vice-presidential candidate
Senator David Mark — National chairman
Kashim Ibrahim-Imam — Council chairman
Nasir El-Rufai — Deputy chairman
Senator Austin Akobundu — Director-general/campaign manager
Campaign advisory board
John Oyegun — Chairman
Lawal Batagarawa — Deputy Chairman
Eyitayo Jegede, SAN — Secretary
Senator Ireti Kingibe — Member
Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed — Member
Policy team
Mohammed Hayatudeen — Chairman
Professor Mohammed Sagagi — Deputy chairman
Dr Kingsley Moghalu — Member
Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi — Member
Senator Abdul Ningi — Member
Aare Aremijoye — Secretary
Senior campaign advisers
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki.
Campaign management committee
Austin Akobundu — Director-general/campaign manager
CID Maduabum — Head, research and documentation
Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN — Head, legal services
Administration directorate
Yusuf Suleiman — Deputy Director-General
The directorate will oversee administration, general services, special duties, finance and accounts, logistics, protocol and medical services.
Dr Ajuji Ahmed will head Administration, Abubakar Kanike, General Services, Dr Nicholas Msheliza, Special Duties, Abdussamad Dasuki, finance and accounts, Professor Gold Emmanuel, Logistics, Professor Onyi Nwagbara, protocol and Dr Amina Mohammed, medical services.
Operations directorate
Chief Ralph Nwosu — Deputy director-general
The directorate will cover organisation and field operations, strategy and planning, security, diaspora and foreign operations, while the position of intelligence head was left vacant on the published chart.
The listed officials are Abdullahi Maibasira, organisation and field operations, Mohammed Kumalia, strategy and planning, retired General Kabiru G. Nadama, Security and Nnena Ukeje, diaspora and foreign operations.
Media and communications directorate
Dele Momodu — Deputy director-general
The directorate will oversee strategic communication, media and publicity, branding, digital and online media and content development.
Phrank Shaibu was named head of Strategic Communication, Kola Ologbondiyan, media and publicity, Ladan Salihu, branding, Moji Rhodes-Vivour, digital and online media and David Iyofor, content development.
Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala and Dahiru Maishanu were named campaign spokespersons, while Chief Charles Ojugbana will serve as campaign master of ceremonies.
Contact and mobilisation directorate
Senator Dino Melaye — Deputy director-general
The directorate will handle mandate protection, women mobilisation, persons with disabilities, stakeholder engagement and youth mobilisation.
Solomon Dalung was named head of mandate protection, Naomi Labari, women mobilisation, Dr Chike Okogwu, persons with disabilities, Oladimeji Fabiyi, stakeholder engagement and Balarabe Rufai, youth mobilisation.
Diversity and support groups directorate
Salihu Tanko Yakasai — Deputy director-general
The directorate will cover support groups, non-governmental and civil society organisations, business and professional bodies, gender issues, and the entertainment and creative industry.
Aliyu Audu will head support groups, Rhoda Sanda, NGOs and civil society organisations, Hafiz Bayero, business and professional bodies, Zainab Buba Galadima, gender issues and Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, entertainment and creative industry.
Technical and systems directorate
Lauretta Onochie — Deputy director-general
The directorate will oversee election operations and management, polling unit operations, voter intelligence, monitoring and evaluation, and the situation room.
Chille Igbawua was named head of election operations and management, Ezeokolie Blessing Jack, polling unit operations, Dr Alex Adum, voter intelligence, Professor Ola Olateju, monitoring and evaluation and chief Teddy Ezeaghauche, situation room.
Atiku said the campaign structure would focus on issues including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
The former vice-president said the campaign’s effectiveness would be measured by how clearly it addressed these challenges and how effectively the various arms of the organisation carried out their assigned responsibilities.
The unveiling of the council comes ahead of the 2027 general election, for which Atiku is the ADC presidential candidate.
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