Former presidential candidate Kingsley Moghalu has rejected his nomination into the presidential campaign council of Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the 2027 general election. Moghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), announced his decision in a statement on Thursday. He cited his non-partisan stance as the reason for the rejection, stating that he had quit partisan politics in 2022.
Moghalu was nominated as a member of the policy department of Atiku's campaign council, to be chaired by Mohammed Hayatudeen, a former presidential aspirant. However, Moghalu denied being affiliated with Atiku's policy team in any capacity. He also stated that he was neither consulted nor asked to consent to the nomination before his name was included in the campaign council.
Atiku's campaign council has several notable members, including Austin Akobundu, the senator representing Abia Central, as the director-general and campaign manager. Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, a former governorship candidate in Borno State, will serve as chairman of the council, while Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, was named deputy chairman.
Moghalu emphasized that he has maintained a non-partisan posture in Nigeria's national affairs since 2022. He stated that he is not a member or sympathizer of any political party in Nigeria. His primary engagements are as President of IGETAfrica, a non-partisan public policy think tank, and CEO of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
Moghalu reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria's progress, stating that his dedication to the country does not require partisan affiliation. He has adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship. Moghalu's decision to reject the nomination highlights his focus on his current roles and non-partisan engagements.
The rejection of the nomination by Moghalu, a professor of practice in international business and public policy, may have implications for Atiku's campaign council. Moghalu's experience and expertise in the public and private sectors could have been valuable assets to the campaign. However, his commitment to his non-partisan stance takes precedence.
Moghalu's statement concluded with a reiteration of his commitment to Nigeria's progress. His decision serves as a reminder of the complexities of partisan politics and the importance of individual convictions. As a prominent figure in Nigeria's public sphere, Moghalu's actions and statements continue to garner attention and interest.
Key points
- Moghalu rejects Atiku's nomination due to his non-partisan stance.
- Moghalu has maintained a non-partisan posture in Nigeria's national affairs since 2022.
- Moghalu's decision highlights his focus on his current roles and non-partisan engagements.
