BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Former Vice-President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar has appointed detained former governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, into his Campaign Council for the 2027 presidential elections.
Atiku announced the appointment on Thursday in the statement issued by his Spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, who is the Director, Strategic Communication of the Campaign
The statement, which explained that Atiku approved a “lean” Campaign Council, said: “His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, GCON, has approved the composition of a lean and strategically structured National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee.”
According to Shaibu, “The size and character of the Council deliberately reflect the mood of the nation and the severe economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians. At a time when families are being compelled to do more with less, the campaign must demonstrate the same discipline, prudence and sensitivity it seeks to bring to government.
“This will not be a bloated campaign built around titles, privileges and political patronage. It will operate as a people-driven organisation anchored on competence, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined responsibilities and measurable results.
“The National Campaign Council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organiser and administrator with decades of involvement in national politics.
“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 organisation and executive governance to the leadership of the Council. His role will include high-level political coordination and engagement with critical stakeholders across the country.”
Furthermore, the statement said: “The day-to-day management and coordination of the campaign will be led by the Director-General and Campaign Manager, Senator Austin Akobundu.
“A serving Senator representing Abia Central, retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and former Minister of State for Defence, Akobundu brings together military discipline, administrative experience, legislative exposure and years of political organisation.
“As Director-General, he will sit at the operational centre of the campaign, with responsibility for translating strategy into action, coordinating the various arms of the campaign and ensuring discipline, cohesion and accountability across its national structure.”
Stressing the need for effective coordination, the statement said the campaign has been organised into six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, adding that: “Working across these directorates are 30 Directors, each assigned clearly defined responsibilities. The structure has been deliberately kept lean to prevent duplication, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that every office has a specific function and every appointee is accountable for results.”
“The Media and Communications Directorate will be headed by veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu as Deputy Director-General. He will coordinate the campaign’s media and communications operations 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 form part of the wider effort to strengthen the campaign’s national outreach, mobilisation and public interface.
“The campaign’s policy architecture will be coordinated by Mohammed Hayatudeen, an economist, banker and public policy practitioner who heads the Policy Team. He will work with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as Deputy Chairman and Aare Aremijoye as Secretary to translate the concerns and aspirations of Nigerians into practical and measurable policy proposals.”
Also doubling down on the need for battle-tested expertise and seasoned experience to propel the campaign forward, the statement declared: “The campaign also draws on the experience of Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, economist, scholar and public policy expert. His experience in monetary policy, financial-sector governance, international affairs and economic development strengthens the policy capacity available to the campaign.
“The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, with former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa serving as Deputy Chairmen and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as Secretary.”
Overall, the statement said: “The philosophy underlying the campaign structure is straightforward: fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.”
Meanwhile, Forefront News notes that Nasir El-Rufai remains in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)’s custody where he has been detained since February. He is currently battling a barrage of corruption charges mounted against him by both the Federal and Kaduna State governments as the legal scrutiny surrounding his administration’s activities intensifies.
