Atiku Unveils ADC Presidential Campaign Council; El-Rufai, Momodu, Melaye, Moghalu Land Key Roles (FULL LIST))

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled a lean but heavyweight Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election, putting former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, media mogul Dele Momodu, former lawmaker Dino Melaye and economist Kingsley Moghalu among key figures assigned strategic roles.

The structure, approved by Atiku, is designed around what the campaign described as the harsh economic realities confronting Nigerians, with the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power set to dominate its political messaging.

Kashim Ibrahim-Imam will chair the Presidential Campaign Council, while El-Rufai will serve as Deputy Chairman.

Senator Austin Akobundu will take charge as Director-General and Campaign Manager, placing him at the centre of the day-to-day coordination of the campaign and its operational machinery.

The council will operate through six Deputy Directors-General and 30 Directors, each assigned specific responsibilities in a structure the campaign said was deliberately designed for work, coordination and accountability.

Momodu, Melaye Take Charge Of Media, Mobilisation

Momodu will head the Media and Communications Directorate, giving him responsibility for shaping the campaign’s public messaging and media engagement.

Melaye will lead the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate, where he is expected to coordinate the campaign’s grassroots outreach, stakeholder engagement and mobilisation efforts.

The appointments place two high-profile political communicators at the forefront of the ADC’s battle to take its message across the country ahead of the 2027 poll.

Moghalu Joins Policy Brain Trust

The campaign’s policy architecture will be headed by Mohammed Hayatudeen as Chairman of the Policy Team, working with Professor Mohammed Sagagi and other members, including Professor Kingsley Moghalu.

The team is expected to develop what the campaign described as practical responses to the problems Nigerians have placed before political leaders.

Former Senate President John Oyegun will chair the Campaign Advisory Board, providing strategic guidance to the campaign council.

‘Every Director Has An Assignment’

The ADC said the structure was deliberately kept lean to prevent unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure that those appointed are held responsible for delivering results.

“This is a structure built for work. Every directorate has a duty. Every director has an assignment. Every appointee must account for results,” the campaign said.

According to the statement issued on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, the campaign’s success would ultimately be judged by how clearly and effectively it addresses the issues hitting ordinary Nigerians.

“Our measure of success will be how clearly we address the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power—and how effectively we organise to make Nigeria affordable again,” the statement said.

The unveiling comes as the ADC and other opposition forces intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential contest, with the campaign machinery now taking shape around a central political message focused on economic hardship and the living conditions of Nigerians.

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