Kashim Imam, El-Rufai, Moghalu, Oyegun, Ihedioha, Hayatudeen, Others Make Atiku’s Campaign Team

Five weeks after the flag-off of campaigns for presidential candidates, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) flag bearer and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of what he called a lean and strategically structured National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee.

The chairman of the National Campaign Council is Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, with former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman. El-Rufai is still in ICPC custody. The director-general and campaign manager is Senator Austin Akobundu.

Listed in the policy team are Mohammed Hayatudeen as chairman; Prof. Mohammed Sagagi as deputy chairman; political economist, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu as member; Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi; Senator Abdul Ningi and Aare Aremijoye as secretary.

Former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun, chairs the advisory board, while former governors Aminu Tambuwal, Emeka Ihedioha, Abdulfatai Ahmed, and Amb. Maina Waziri are members of the senior campaign advisors.

The list was contained in a statement by Atiku’s Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, who also doubles as Director, Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

Explaining the lean campaign structure, Atiku said the size and character of the Council deliberately reflect the mood of the nation and the severe economic realities confronting millions of Nigerians.

He said, “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.

“The National Campaign Council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organiser and administrator with decades of involvement in national politics.

“Serving as Deputy Chairman is Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Governor of Kaduna State. El-Rufai brings extensive experience in public administration, political organisation and executive governance to the leadership of the Council. His role will include high-level political coordination and engagement with critical stakeholders across the country.

“The day-to-day management and coordination of the campaign will be led by the Director-General and Campaign Manager, Senator Austin Akobundu.

“A serving Senator representing Abia Central, retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and former Minister of State for Defence, Akobundu brings together military discipline, administrative experience, legislative exposure and years of political organisation.

“As Director-General, he will sit at the operational centre of the campaign, with responsibility for translating strategy into action, coordinating the various arms of the campaign and ensuring discipline, cohesion and accountability across its national structure.

“For effective coordination, the campaign has been organised into six major operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General.

“Working across these directorates are 30 Directors, each assigned clearly defined responsibilities. The structure has been deliberately kept lean to prevent duplication, reduce bureaucracy and ensure that every office has a specific function and every appointee 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 coordinate the campaign’s media and communications operations across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.

“Also playing a key role in the campaign structure is Dino Melaye, whose political experience and public engagement will form part of the wider effort to strengthen the campaign’s 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 as Deputy Chairman and Aare Aremijoye as Secretary to translate the concerns and aspirations of Nigerians into practical and measurable policy proposals.

“The campaign also draws on the experience of Professor Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, economist, scholar and public policy expert. His experience in monetary policy, financial-sector governance, international affairs and economic development strengthens the policy capacity available to the campaign.

“The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by John Oyegun, former Governor of Edo State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, with former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa serving as Deputy Chairmen and Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, as Secretary.”

He added that the philosophy underlying the campaign structure is fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.

He said there are six operational directorates headed by Deputy Directors-General and 30 Directors responsible for defined areas of campaign activity. The Director-General will coordinate their execution, while the Chairman and Deputy Chairman provide political leadership and strategic coordination.

“There will be no room for ornamental appointments.

“Every directorate has a responsibility. Every director has an assignment. And every level of the campaign structure will be expected to account for results.”

The former Vice President said beyond political organisation, the campaign will focus on the issues confronting Nigerians in their daily lives: the cost of food, transportation and energy; unemployment; insecurity; declining purchasing power; and the wider challenge of effective governance.

He said the campaign belongs to the Nigerian people. “Its strength will not be measured by the number of titles it distributes, but by the effectiveness of its organisation, the clarity of its policies and the seriousness with which it engages the concerns of Nigerians,” he said.