The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled the structure of his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, naming former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai as Deputy Chairman.
Kashim Ibrahim-Imam will chair the council, while Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager. Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi is listed as the vice-presidential candidate. The structure was announced on Thursday as the ADC begins formal preparations for the presidential campaign.
The campaign organisation comprises six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific portfolios. The campaign said the arrangement was designed to establish clear responsibilities, reduce duplication and ensure accountability across its operations.
Campaign leadership
The principal officers are:
- Presidential Candidate: Atiku Abubakar
- Vice-Presidential Candidate: Rotimi Amaechi
- National Chairman: Senator David Mark
- Campaign Council Chairman: Kashim Ibrahim-Imam
- Deputy Chairman: Nasir El-Rufai
- Director-General/Campaign Manager: Senator Austin Akobundu
Campaign Advisory Board
The Campaign Advisory Board will be chaired by former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun.
Other members are:
- Deputy Chairman: Lawal Batagarawa
- Secretary: Eyitayo Jegede, SAN
- Members: Senator Ireti Kingibe and Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed
Policy Team
The policy arm will be chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as Deputy Chairman.
Other members include former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Professor Kingsley Moghalu, Professor Mustapha Akinkunmi and Senator Abdul Ningi, while Aare Aremijoye will serve as secretary.
Senior Campaign Advisers
The senior advisory team comprises former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale and Senator Patricia Akwashiki.
Campaign Management Committee
Akobundu will coordinate the overall campaign management structure, supported by CID Maduabum, who will head Research and Documentation, and Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN, who will oversee Legal Services.
The six operational directorates are:
1. Administration Directorate
Yusuf Suleiman will serve as Deputy Director-General. The directorate covers administration, general services, special duties, finance and accounts, logistics, protocol and medical services, with Dr Ajuji Ahmed, Abubakar Kanike, Dr Nicholas Msheliza, Abdussamad Dasuki, Professor Gold Emmanuel, Professor Onyi Nwagbara and Dr Amina Mohammed assigned to the respective units.
2. Operations Directorate
Chief Ralph Nwosu will serve as Deputy Director-General. Its responsibilities include organisation and field operations, strategy and planning, security and diaspora/foreign operations. The units will be headed by Abdullahi Maibasira, Mohammed Kumalia, retired General Kabiru G. Nadama and Nnena Ukeje.
3. Media and Communications Directorate
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will serve as Deputy Director-General, overseeing the campaign’s traditional, broadcast and digital communications operations.
Phrank Shaibu will head Strategic Communication, Kola Ologbondiyan will oversee Media and Publicity, Ladan Salihu will handle Branding, Moji Rhodes-Vivour will head Digital and Online Media, while David Iyofor will oversee Content Development.
The listed campaign spokespersons are Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala and Alhaji Dahiru Maishanu, with Chief Charles Ojugbana serving as Campaign MC.
4. Contact and Mobilisation Directorate
Former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye will serve as Deputy Director-General, with responsibility for contact, mobilisation and public engagement.
The directorate includes Solomon Dalung for Mandate Protection, Naomi Labari for Women Mobilisation, Dr Chike Okogwu for Persons with Disabilities, Oladimeji Fabiyi for Stakeholder Engagement and Balarabe Rufai for Youth Mobilisation.
5. Diversity and Support Groups Directorate
Salihu Tanko Yakasai will head the directorate as Deputy Director-General. Its units cover support groups, NGOs and civil society organisations, business and professional bodies, gender issues, and the entertainment and creative industry.
Aliyu Audu, Rhoda Sanda, Hafiz Bayero, Zainab Buba Galadima and Dr Don Pedro Obaseki will oversee the respective units.
6. Technical and Systems Directorate
Lauretta Onochie will serve as Deputy Director-General. The directorate will handle election operations and management, polling-unit operations, voter intelligence, monitoring and evaluation, and the situation room.
The units will be headed by Chille Igbawua, Ezeokolie Blessing Jack, Dr Alex Adum, Professor Ola Olateju and Chief Teddy Ezeaghauche.
According to the campaign, the structure is intended to operate on the principle of clear responsibilities and measurable results, with each directorate and director assigned defined duties.
Atiku, according to Strategic Communications Director Phrank Shaibu, said the campaign’s performance would ultimately be measured by how clearly it addresses issues confronting Nigerians, particularly the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
The unveiling marks the formal constitution of Atiku’s campaign machinery as political parties and coalitions intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election.