By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman of his National Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The appointment, announced on Thursday, places El-Rufai in a key leadership position within Atiku’s campaign structure despite his ongoing detention and legal battles. According to the campaign, the former governor will be responsible for high-level political coordination and engagement with major stakeholders across the country.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the campaign, as Atiku unveiled what he described as a lean and results-driven campaign organisation.
Under the structure, veteran politician Kashim Ibrahim-Imam will serve as Chairman of the National Campaign Council, while Senator Austin Akobundu, a retired army colonel and former Minister of State for Defence, has been appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Explaining the rationale behind the campaign's composition, the Atiku camp said the council was deliberately designed to avoid excessive bureaucracy and political patronage, reflecting what it described as the economic realities facing Nigerians.
According to the statement, the campaign intends to operate with a smaller structure focused on efficiency, accountability and clearly defined responsibilities rather than a large network of political appointments.
“El-Rufai brings extensive experience in public administration, political organisation and executive governance,” the statement said, outlining his expected role in the campaign.
The campaign structure is built around six operational directorates and 30 directors assigned to specific responsibilities, with each unit expected to work under measurable performance targets.
Among other notable appointments, veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will head the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General, while former Kogi West senator Dino Melaye has been assigned responsibilities relating to mobilisation, public engagement and national outreach.
The campaign's policy team will be led by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, supported by Professor Mohammed Sagagi and former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, who will contribute to policy development and economic planning.
Also included in the structure is a Campaign Advisory Council chaired by former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, with former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa serving as deputy chairmen.
The announcement comes as El-Rufai remains in custody while facing multiple legal proceedings. The former governor has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has described the actions against him as politically motivated. Authorities involved in the cases have maintained that the investigations and court processes are being conducted within the law.
By appointing El-Rufai to one of the most prominent positions in the campaign hierarchy, Atiku has signalled that the former governor remains a central figure in his political coalition as preparations for the 2027 election gather momentum.
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