The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is preparing for the 2027 general elections and is set to release an expanded list of members of its Presidential Campaign Council. This move aims to address the absence of some senior party officials from the campaign structure unveiled earlier. The party's National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi are expected to receive fresh responsibilities as the campaign organisation expands.
Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, confirmed that the structure announced so far should not be regarded as the final composition of the campaign team. According to him, consultations are still ongoing, and the campaign will continue to appoint more people as it develops its structures across the country. Shaibu stated that the campaign is still evolving and that further responsibilities will be assigned as the structure expands.
The initial campaign council structure, unveiled on September 24, includes notable members such as former Borno State politician Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as Chairman and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager, while Atiku's running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, was also listed among the principal figures in the campaign organisation. Other members include former Edo State Governor John Oyegun and former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye.
The campaign council was divided into different directorates, including Administration, Operations, Media and Communications, Contact and Mobilisation, Diversity and Support Groups, and Technical and Systems. However, the absence of Aregbesola and Abdullahi from the published structure raised concerns about their participation in Atiku's campaign machinery. Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, currently serves as the National Secretary of the party, while Abdullahi is the National Publicity Secretary.
Aregbesola was seen participating in ADC activities on the same day the campaign council was announced, calling on party members to intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections. He urged members to commence grassroots mobilisation and to vote ADC in the coming general election. Abdullahi played down suggestions that his omission from the campaign structure represented a disagreement with the party or Atiku, stating that party leaders have responsibilities that go beyond the campaign organisation.
Shaibu indicated that more appointments will be made as the campaign machinery expands from the national level to the zones, states, local government areas, wards, and polling units. He stated that Atiku Abubakar remains deeply conscious of the sacrifices made by those who have stood with him over the years and that loyalty, sacrifice, and friendship are valued. Shaibu appealed to party members who were not listed in the initial structure not to interpret the omission as a rejection of their contributions.
The campaign's Media and Communications Directorate is headed operationally by experienced media figures, including Dele Momodu as Deputy Director-General and Kola Ologbondiyan as Director of Media and Publicity. The campaign's structure will continue to accommodate party leaders, professionals, young Nigerians, and other supporters who are willing to contribute to the campaign. The Policy Team is headed by Mohammed Hayatudeen, while the Campaign Advisory Board is chaired by former Edo State Governor John Oyegun.
Key points
- The African Democratic Congress is set to release an expanded list of members of its Presidential Campaign Council.
- The party's National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, and National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi are expected to receive fresh responsibilities.
- The campaign council will continue to accommodate party leaders, professionals, young Nigerians, and other supporters who are willing to contribute to the campaign.
