The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of the party’s National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee, described by his campaign as a lean and strategically structured team.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Strategic Communication, ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said the structure was designed to reflect the economic realities facing Nigerians.
“At a time when families are being compelled to do more with less, the campaign must demonstrate the same discipline, prudence and sensitivity it seeks to bring to government.
“This will not be a bloated campaign built around titles, privileges and political patronage. It will operate as a people-driven organisation anchored on competence, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined responsibilities and measurable results,” Shaibu said.
The National Campaign Council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, a political organiser and administrator with decades of experience in national politics.
Former Kaduna State Governor and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, will serve as Deputy Chairman.
According to the statement, El-Rufai will bring his experience in public administration, political organisation and executive governance to the council, including responsibility for high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.
Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager, overseeing the day-to-day coordination and management of the campaign.
A serving senator representing Abia Central, retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and former Minister of State for Defence, Akobundu is expected to coordinate the various arms of the campaign and translate its strategy into action.
The campaign will operate through six major directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned to specific responsibilities.
Shaibu said the structure was deliberately kept lean to avoid duplication and bureaucracy while ensuring that each appointee has clearly defined responsibilities and is accountable for results.
The Media and Communications Directorate will be headed by veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu as Deputy Director-General. He will oversee the campaign’s media and communications operations across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.
The statement also named Dino Melaye as part of the campaign structure, citing his political experience and public engagement as part of efforts to strengthen its national outreach, mobilisation and public interface.
The campaign’s policy architecture will be coordinated by Mohammed Hayatudeen, an economist, banker and public policy practitioner who heads the Policy Team.
He will work with Professor Mohammed Sagagi, Deputy Chairman, and Aare Aremijoye, Secretary, to develop policy proposals addressing the concerns and aspirations of Nigerians.
Also contributing to the policy team is Professor Kingsley Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, economist, scholar and public policy expert.
According to Shaibu, Moghalu’s experience in monetary policy, financial-sector governance, international affairs and economic development will strengthen the campaign’s policy capacity.
The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
Former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa will serve as Deputy Chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will serve as Secretary.
Shaibu said the campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the cost of food, transportation and energy, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and the broader challenge of effective governance.
