Uche Amunike
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has constituted his campaign machinery 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 by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar.
Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager. He is expected to coordinate the various arms of the campaign and translate its broad strategy into practical activities.
According to the campaign, the council has six major operational directorates, each supervised by a Deputy Director-General, while 30 directors will handle specific responsibilities.
The principal officers include Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate and Senator David Mark as National Chairman. The Campaign Advisory Board will be chaired by former Edo State Governor and pioneer APC National Chairman John Oyegun, while Lawal Batagarawa is deputy chairman and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, secretary.
The policy team will be led by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as deputy chairman. Members include former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor Kingsley Moghalu, Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi. Aare Aremijoye will serve as secretary.
Former Vice President Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki were listed as senior campaign advisers.
In the campaign management structure, CID Maduabum heads Research and Documentation, while Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN, heads Legal Services.
The Administration Directorate will be led by Yusuf Suleiman, while Chief Ralph Nwosu will supervise Operations. Other appointments include Dr Ajuji Ahmed for Administration, Abubakar Kanike for General Services, Nicholas Msheliza for Special Duties, Abdussamad Dasuki for Finance and Accounts and Professor Gold Emmanuel for Logistics. The Operations team includes General Kabiru Nadama for security and Nnena Ukeje for diaspora and foreign operations.
The Media and Communications Directorate will be headed by veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu. Its key units cover strategic communication, media and publicity, branding, digital media and content development.
Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala and Alhaji Dahiru Maishanu were named among the campaign spokespersons.
Senator Dino Melaye will oversee Contact and Mobilisation, with responsibilities covering mandate protection, women, youth, persons with disabilities and stakeholder engagement.
Salihu Tanko Yakasai will lead Diversity and Support Groups, while Lauretta Onochie will head the Technical and Systems Directorate, which includes election operations, polling unit operations, voter intelligence, monitoring and evaluation and the situation room.
The campaign said the structure was deliberately designed around the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians, including rising food and transport costs, unemployment and declining purchasing power.
Atiku Abubakar said the campaign’s performance would ultimately be measured by how clearly it responds to issues affecting citizens, particularly the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and reduced purchasing power.
The campaign also said the arrangement was intended to promote clear responsibilities, accountability and coordination, rather than creating unnecessary offices. The council will therefore focus on defined assignments as the ADC prepares its political machinery for the 2027 presidential contest.
