Atiku introduces 2027 campaign team, slams chairman Ibrahim-Imam, deputy El-Rufai

African Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has announced the 2027 leadership structure of the National Campaign Council, appointing Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as Chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as Deputy Chairman.

The appointment was announced in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant for Public Communications Atiku and Campaign Board Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu.

Senator Austin Akobundu has been appointed as Director General and Campaign Manager, while veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, has been appointed as Deputy Director General of the Media and Communications Directorate.

Atiku said the campaign board was deliberately set up as a lean organization consisting of six operational directorates and 30 directors.

According to him, the arrangement is intended to establish clear responsibilities, accountability and effective coordination while reflecting the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

He said, “The size and character of the Council deliberately reflects the mood of the nation and the grim economic realities facing millions of Nigerians. At a time when families are forced to do more with less, the campaign must demonstrate the same discipline, prudence and sensitivity it seeks to impose on the government.

“This is not a massive campaign built on titles, privilege and political patronage. This will run as a community-based organization that relies on competence, accountability, national inclusion, clear responsibilities and measurable results.

“The National Campaign Council will be led by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organizer and administrator who has been involved in national politics for decades.

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“Serving as Deputy Chairman is Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Kaduna State. El-Rufai brings extensive experience in public administration, political organizations and executive governance to the leadership of the Council. His role will include high-level political coordination and engagement with key stakeholders across the country.”

Akobundu, as Director General and Campaign Manager, is expected to oversee the daily operations of the council and coordinate the implementation of its strategies.

Atiku said he would also be responsible for coordinating the various branches of the campaign while maintaining discipline, unity and accountability across the national structure.

The six campaign operational directorates will each be led by a Deputy Director General.

The statement explained, “There are 30 Directors in these directorates, each of whom has clear responsibilities. The structure is deliberately streamlined to prevent duplication, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that each office has a specific function and each person appointed is responsible for the results.

“The Media and Communications Directorate will be led by veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu as Deputy Director General. He will coordinate media operations and campaign communications across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.

“Also playing a key role in the campaign structure is Dino Melaye, whose political experience and public engagement will be part of broader efforts to strengthen national reach, mobilization and public engagement.”

The campaign’s policy team will be led by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professors Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye supporting the team.

Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, will also contribute to the campaign’s policy development efforts.

This statement was then announced by the leadership of the Campaign Advisory Council.

It said, “The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and pioneering National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, with former Senators Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa serving as Deputy Chairman and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as Secretary.

“The philosophy underlying the campaign structure is clear: fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.

“There are six operational directorates headed by the Deputy Director General and 30 Directors responsible for designated areas of campaign activities. The Director General will coordinate implementation, while the Chairman and Deputy Chairman provide political leadership and strategic coordination.

“There will be no room for decorative appointments. Every directorate has responsibilities. Every director has duties. And every level in the campaign structure is expected to take account of the results.”

Atiku said the campaign would combine political mobilization with attention to issues he identified as major concerns of Nigerians.

These include rising costs of living, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and governance.

He said this campaign would use a community-oriented approach, and its effectiveness would be measured based on organizational capacity, policy clarity and commitment to addressing community problems.

The Independent National Election Commission’s schedule for the 2027 election sets the start of the presidential campaign on August 19.

Although political parties have not officially announced their campaigns, several presidential candidates and their support structures continue to engage stakeholders and supporters across the country ahead of the official campaign season.