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 was announced on Thursday as the ADC unveiled its campaign structure, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam named Chairman and Senator Austin Akobundu appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Key Highlights
- Atiku Abubakar named Nasir El-Rufai Deputy Chairman of the ADC’s National Campaign Council.
- Kashim Ibrahim-Imam was named Chairman and Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
- The campaign structure comprises six operational directorates and 30 directors.
- El-Rufai’s appointment comes while he remains in ICPC custody over corruption-related allegations.
- Dele Momodu, Dino Melaye, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and John Oyegun were also assigned campaign roles.
- The campaign says its priorities will focus on food costs, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
ADC Unveils Campaign Structure
Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign council, Phrank Shaibu, announced the appointments.
The campaign structure comprises six operational directorates and 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities, according to the campaign. The structure is intended to coordinate political mobilisation, communications, policy development and other campaign activities.
El-Rufai’s Appointment Comes Amid Ongoing ICPC Case
El-Rufai’s appointment comes while he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The commission previously stated that his detention was authorised by a court through a remand order issued on February 19 and extended on March 5, 2026, as investigators pursued allegations including money laundering and abuse of office.
The ICPC also said in May that a court had refused an earlier bail application and ordered that El-Rufai remain in custody pending the commencement of trial.
El-Rufai is also involved in separate legal proceedings relating to allegations concerning the interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Reports on the case describe the allegations as disputed, and El-Rufai has denied wrongdoing.
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Other Senior Campaign Appointments
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu was named Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was assigned a role focused on contact, mobilisation and national outreach.
Mohammed Hayatu-Deen was named to coordinate the campaign’s policy team, working with other members on policy proposals. Former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman John Oyegun was also named Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council.
According to the campaign, El-Rufai’s responsibilities will include high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.
Campaign Cites Economic Pressures As A Priority
The campaign said its structure and policy priorities were shaped by economic and social challenges facing Nigerians, including rising food and transportation costs, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
Atiku’s team said the campaign would focus on developing policies and strategies aimed at addressing these concerns while coordinating its national mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
El-Rufai previously served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory before becoming Governor of Kaduna State, a position he held from 2015 to 2023.
His appointment places him among the senior figures coordinating Atiku’s campaign as the ADC prepares its national campaign machinery for the 2027 presidential election.
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