Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has appointed former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as Deputy Chairman of his National Campaign Council for the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, announced the composition of the campaign structure in a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, on Thursday.
The statement said the campaign council had been deliberately structured as a “lean” organisation, with fewer offices and clearly defined responsibilities.
It said the council would be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while El-Rufai would serve as Deputy Chairman.
According to the statement, El-Rufai would be responsible for high-level political coordination and engagement with key stakeholders across the country, drawing on his experience in public administration and political organisation.
The campaign will be managed on a day-to-day basis by Senator Austin Akobundu, who was named Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Akobundu, a serving senator representing Abia Central and a retired Nigerian Army colonel, is also a former Minister of State for Defence.
The campaign structure will comprise six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, will head the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General, while Dino Melaye will play a role in national mobilisation, outreach and public engagement.
The policy team will be headed by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi serving as Deputy Chairman and Aare Aremijoye as Secretary.
The statement also listed former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, as part of the campaign’s policy team.
The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun.
Former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa were named Deputy Chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will serve as Secretary.
Daily Trust reports that El-Rufai is currently in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and is facing charges filed by the Federal Government and Kaduna State Government.
The former governor has been in detention since February.
Atiku’s campaign said the structure was designed to prevent duplication and bureaucracy while ensuring accountability across the campaign.
“The philosophy underlying the campaign structure is straightforward: fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability,” the statement said.
