Atiku's 2027 Campaign Shocker: Key Figures Disown Roles in Unveiled Council

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has formally established his presidential campaign council in preparation for the 2027 general elections. However, the announcement was immediately met with a strong rebuttal from Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who was listed as a member of Atiku Abubakar’s policy team.

Professor Moghalu expressed his surprise at seeing his name included in a statement released by the Atiku Abubakar and ADC campaign team. He unequivocally denied his involvement, stating, “I was not consulted and did not give my consent to my name being published as a member of the ADC candidate’s policy team.” Moghalu further clarified, “I am NOT, in fact a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity.” He reiterated his departure from partisan politics in Nigeria since 2022, maintaining a non-partisan posture in national affairs. His primary engagements are as President of IGETAfrica, a non-partisan public policy think tank, and CEO of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm. He affirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s progress through statesmanship rather than partisan alignment, signing off as “Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Ifekaego Nnewi.”

Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar’s campaign council has been structured as a lean organization aimed at tackling the pressing challenges faced by Nigerians. Kashim Ibrahim-Imam has been appointed as Chairman of the Council, with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai serving as Deputy Chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu, representing Abia Central, will take on the crucial role of Director-General and Campaign Manager, responsible for transforming strategy into coordinated action and overseeing the campaign’s operations.

The structure also includes six Deputy Directors-General who will manage operational directorates, supported by 30 other directors with specific assignments. Notable appointments include Dele Momodu, who will head Media and Communications, and Dino Melaye, who will lead Contact and Mobilisation. Mohammed Hayatudeen, a former presidential aspirant, will chair the Policy Team, which also features Professor Mohammed Sagagi and, as originally announced, Professor Kingsley Moghalu. John Oyegun, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.

According to a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, the team’s core responsibility is to develop policy proposals designed to address issues identified by Nigerians. The campaign will explicitly focus on critical areas such as the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power. Atiku Abubakar emphasized accountability, stating, “Every appointee must account for results. 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.”

Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice-President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, has a long history of presidential aspirations. He contested the 2007 general election under the defunct Action Congress (AC), finishing third. He later ran as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate in 2019 and 2023, losing to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu, respectively. He also sought presidential tickets in 1993, 2011, and 2015. Earlier this year, he indicated that the upcoming 2027 contest would be his last.