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By Victor Osula, Abuja
Former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion as a policy team contributor in the campaign panel presented by African Democratic Congress ADC Atiku Abubakar presidential candidate.
In a statement posted Thursday on his X account, Moghalu said he was surprised to see his name included in the campaign ad.
“For the record: I was not consulted and did not give my consent to the publication of my name as a member of the ADC candidate’s political group,” he said.
Moghalu further stated that he was “not, in fact, a member of Atiku’s political group, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity”.
The former CBN deputy governor said he had retired from partisan politics from 2022 and remained committed to an impartial role in Nigeria’s public affairs.
He said his current commitments include his work with the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa), a public policy think tank, and Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy consultancy.
“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria, and its progress, but that commitment must involve NO partisan alignment. I have taken the path of politics, not partisanship,” Moghalu said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in his campaign team, has nominated former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as Vice President in a structure that brings together veteran politicians, administrators and media professionals.
Atiku appointed Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as Chairman of the National Campaign Council, while Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed as Director General and Campaign Manager.
Veteran journalist and editor, Dele Momodu, has been appointed deputy director general of the Media and Communications Directorate.
The appointments, announced in a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communications for the Electoral Council, Phrank Shaibu, are part of an organizational framework which, according to the former Vice President, has been deliberately designed to be streamlined and results-oriented.
However, the announcement was followed by immediate controversy after former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, rejected his inclusion in the campaign’s political team, saying he had neither been consulted nor given his consent.
Atiku said Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organizer and administrator, will provide overall leadership for the electoral council, while El-Rufai will undertake high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.
El-Rufai, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory before becoming governor of Kaduna State, is expected to bring his experience in public administration, executive governance and political organization to the campaign.
Akobundu, according to the statement, will oversee the campaign’s daily operations, coordinate its various weapons and implement its strategies.
The campaign structure is divided into six operational directorates, each led by a deputy general director, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
Atiku said the agreement was intended to eliminate duplication and bureaucracy and ensure that each official was accountable to clearly defined outcomes.
“This will not be an inflated campaign built around titles, privileges and political patronage,” Atiku said, adding that the framework will be anchored on “expertise, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined accountabilities and measurable results.”
Momodu, Melaye, Hayatu-Deen listed
Momodu will coordinate media and communication activities on traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.
Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, was also listed as part of the campaign’s wider mobilization and public engagement efforts.
Economist and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen was appointed to lead the policy group, supported by Prof. Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye.
In addition to the campaign council, Atiku has appointed former Edo State governor and pioneer national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, as the chairman of the campaign advisory council.
Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa were appointed as vice presidents, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, was appointed as secretary.
Atiku said the campaign would focus on issues such as rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and governance.
He said the structure was deliberately designed around “fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability”.
“There will be no room for ornamental appointments. Every directorate has a responsibility. Every director has a mandate. And every level of the campaign structure is expected to take into account the results,” he said.
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