Atiku’s Campaign Council – A Coalition of Power and Strategy

File: Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has unveiled a sweeping Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections, naming Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as Chairman, Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman, Dele Momodu to head Media and Communications, and Dino Melaye to lead Contact and Mobilisation. The council is designed to reflect Nigeria’s pressing economic realities and includes a wide array of political heavyweights and technocrats.

Atiku’s Campaign Council – A Coalition of Power and Strategy

The unveiling of Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Council marks a decisive moment in Nigeria’s political landscape as the ADC prepares for the 2027 general elections. The council’s composition is not only a reflection of Atiku’s political reach but also a deliberate attempt to balance technocratic expertise with grassroots mobilization.

At the helm is Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, serving as Chairman, with Nasir El-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor, as Deputy Chairman. This pairing signals a blend of political experience and administrative acumen. Senator Austin Akobundu assumes the role of Director-General and Campaign Manager, tasked with translating strategy into coordinated action across the nation.

The Campaign Advisory Board, chaired by John Oyegun, former APC National Chairman, with Lawal Batagarawa as Deputy Chairman and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN as Secretary, provides seasoned oversight. This advisory team underscores Atiku’s intent to draw from diverse political traditions, bridging divides across Nigeria’s political spectrum.

Equally significant is the Policy Team, chaired by Mohammed Hayatudeen and supported by Prof. Mohammed Sagagi. With members like Dr. Kingsley Moghalu and Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi, the team is charged with crafting pragmatic solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges—rising food prices, transport costs, and shrinking incomes. This signals a campaign that seeks to anchor its promises in policy depth rather than rhetoric.

On the communications front, Dele Momodu, a veteran journalist and publisher, heads the Media and Communications Directorate. His appointment reflects Atiku’s recognition of the power of narrative and media influence in shaping public perception. Alongside him, Dino Melaye, known for his fiery grassroots mobilization, leads Contact and Mobilisation, ensuring the campaign resonates with ordinary Nigerians across diverse constituencies.

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The council also features Senior Campaign Advisors such as Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, and Emeka Ihedioha, representing a coalition of former governors and legislators. Their inclusion strengthens Atiku’s network of political allies while projecting unity within the ADC.

Structurally, the campaign is divided into six operational directorates—Administration, Operations, Media and Communications, Contact and Mobilisation, Diversity and Support Groups, and Technical and Systems. Each directorate is led by Deputy Directors-General and supported by 30 directors, ensuring a robust and accountable framework.

Atiku’s campaign council is a grand coalition of political veterans, technocrats, and media strategists, designed to tackle Nigeria’s economic and social challenges head-on. By appointing figures like El-Rufai, Momodu, and Melaye, Atiku signals a campaign that is both nationally inclusive and strategically aggressive. Whether this structure will translate into electoral success remains to be seen, but it undeniably sets the stage for a formidable contest in 2027.