Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, naming Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman.

The appointments were announced Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council and Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.

Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for coordinating the campaign’s operations and translating its strategy into action.

According to Shaibu, the campaign structure comprises six Deputy Directors-General overseeing operational directorates, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.

Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, will head the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, will lead Contact and Mobilisation.

The Policy Team will be chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, who will work with Professor Mohammed Sagagi and other members, including Professor Kingsley Moghalu.

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

Shaibu said the structure was deliberately designed as a lean, people-driven organisation in response to the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

He said the campaign would focus on issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

“When families are struggling with food prices, transport costs and shrinking incomes, a campaign asking for their trust must show discipline in how it operates,” Shaibu said.

He added that the structure was designed to give each directorate a clearly defined responsibility and ensure that appointees were accountable for results.

“Our measure of success will be how clearly we address the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power—and how effectively we organise to make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.

The campaign council is expected to coordinate Atiku’s presidential campaign activities nationwide ahead of the 2027 election.

The ADC had earlier submitted Atiku’s name as its presidential candidate and former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as vice-presidential candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. (Vanguard:, excluding headline)