Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the party’s Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The campaign council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai will serve as Deputy Chairman.
The appointments were announced on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in a statement by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Akobundu, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and serving senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, is expected to coordinate the campaign’s nationwide political and operational activities.
El-Rufai’s appointment comes as he remains in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) amid an ongoing investigation and related legal proceedings.
The campaign structure comprises six major operational directorates headed by Deputy Directors-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will head the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye will oversee Contact and Mobilisation.
Economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen will chair the Policy Team, with Professor Kingsley Moghalu and Professor Mohammed Sagagi among those involved in developing the campaign’s policy framework.
Former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.
Shaibu said the structure was designed to remain lean while giving each directorate and director clearly defined responsibilities.
He said the campaign would focus on issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power, with the structure intended to translate the party’s strategy into coordinated nationwide activities.
Akobundu, a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, served in several command and staff positions in the Nigerian Army before retiring as a Colonel in 2000. He later chaired the Board of Management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, and served as Minister of State for Defence under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
He has also held several positions within party administration, including National Vice Chairman, South-East Zonal Chairman and National Organising Secretary. He currently represents Abia Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The announcement marks the unveiling of the ADC National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee ahead of the 2027 elections.
