2027: Atiku appoints El-Rufai deputy chairman of ADC campaign council

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has appointed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The appointment was announced on Thursday as the ADC unveiled its campaign council, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam named chairman and Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.

According to the structure released by the party, El-Rufai will be responsible for high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders.

The former governor’s appointment comes while he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with an ongoing investigation. El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.

The campaign council also includes former Edo State Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, who will chair the Campaign Advisory Council.

Former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye was named to oversee Contact and Mobilisation, while veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu was appointed Deputy Director-General of Media and Communications.

Other members include Phrank Shaibu as Director of Strategic Communication, Kola Ologbondiyan as Director of Media and Publicity, Ladan Salihu as Director of Branding and Moji Rhodes-Vivour as Director of Digital and Online Media.

The Policy Team will be chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, among its members.

Former governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Emeka Ihedioha are also listed as Senior Campaign Advisers.

The appointment is part of the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election as political parties begin to formalise their campaign structures.