The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has unveiled a 69-member National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee for the 2027 general election.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will serve as Deputy Chairman of the council which is chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam.
Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The campaign structure also includes a Campaign Advisory Council chaired by former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun. Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa will serve as Deputy Chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) is the Secretary.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the decision to maintain a lean campaign structure was deliberate and intended to reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerians.
He said the campaign would have no room for what he described as “ornamental appointments,” stressing that its organisational discipline must reflect the values he intends to bring to governance if elected president on January 16, 2027.
According to him, the size and composition of the council were designed to demonstrate prudence and sensitivity at a time when many Nigerian families are struggling with rising economic pressures.
He said the campaign would not be built around titles, privileges or political patronage, but would instead operate as a “people-driven organisation” anchored on competence, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined responsibilities and measurable results.
Atiku described Ibrahim-Imam, the council chairman, as an experienced political organiser and administrator with decades of involvement in national politics.
He said El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Kaduna State, would bring his experience in public administration, political organisation and executive governance to the campaign’s leadership.
According to Atiku, El-Rufai’s responsibilities would include high-level political coordination and engagement with critical stakeholders across the country.
He said the day-to-day administration and coordination of the campaign would be handled by Akobundu in his capacity as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The ADC candidate said the campaign had also been divided into six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 Directors assigned specific responsibilities across the various directorates.
He explained that the structure was deliberately designed to eliminate duplication, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that every office had a clearly defined function, with appointees held accountable for results.
The Media and Communications Directorate will be headed by veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, as Deputy Director-General. He is expected to coordinate the campaign’s media and communications activities across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.
Beyond the political structure, Atiku said the campaign would focus on issues directly affecting the daily lives of Nigerians, including the rising cost of food, transportation and energy, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and challenges associated with effective governance.
He said the campaign would be centred on engaging Nigerians on policies and practical solutions to the country’s challenges rather than merely distributing political positions.
“This campaign belongs to the Nigerian people,” Atiku said, adding that its strength would not be measured by the number of titles distributed, but by the effectiveness of its organisation, clarity of policies and seriousness with which it addresses the concerns of Nigerians.
The unveiling marks a major step in the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party positioning its campaign structure around political coordination, grassroots engagement, communications and policy advocacy.
