Breaking: Atiku names campaign council ahead of 2027 presidential poll

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled the party’s Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku appointed Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, with responsibility for coordinating the party’s campaign structures and operations across the country.

The development was announced on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

Akobundu, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army, former Minister of State for Defence and serving senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, is expected to coordinate the political and operational activities of the campaign.

Campaign council leadership

The campaign council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will serve as Deputy Chairman.

The council has six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned to specific responsibilities.

Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will oversee the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General.

Former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye will be involved in national outreach, mobilisation and public engagement, while economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen will coordinate the campaign’s policy structure.

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, is also listed as part of the policy team.

Former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Council.

Akobundu’s background

Akobundu is a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy and served in various command and staff positions in the Nigerian Army before retiring as a Colonel in 2000.

Following his retirement from the military, he served as Chairman of the Board of Management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

He was later appointed Minister of State for Defence under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

The senator has also held several positions within party administration, including National Vice Chairman, South-East Zonal Chairman and National Organising Secretary.

He currently represents Abia Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

Shaibu said Akobundu’s military, administrative, political and legislative experience would be useful in coordinating the campaign’s nationwide operations.

He said the structure was designed to be lean, with clearly defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes.

The unveiling of the council and the Presidential Campaign Management Committee marks another step in the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.