ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has appointed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman of his presidential campaign council for Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s senior special assistant on public communication and director of strategic communications for the campaign, announced the appointment on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
This appointment comes despite the former Kaduna governor remaining in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam chairman of the National Campaign Council, while Senator Austin Akobundu will serve as director-general and campaign manager.
El-Rufai will be responsible for political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country, according to the statement.
El-Rufai Remains in Anti-Corruption Custody
El-Rufai’s has been detained by the ICPC since February and faces criminal proceedings brought by federal and Kaduna State authorities.
The ICPC has filed corruption-related charges against El-Rufai, including allegations concerning public contracts awarded during his tenure as Kaduna State governor.
The former governor has challenged his continued detention through legal proceedings.
The campaign statement did not explain how El-Rufai would carry out his responsibilities while in custody.
Momodu, Melaye, and Oyegun Receive Campaign Roles
Atiku also appointed journalist and publisher Dele Momodu as deputy director-general of the Media and Communications Directorate.
Former Kogi State senator Dino Melaye will oversee contact and mobilisation, while Mohammed Hayatudeen will lead the campaign’s policy team.
Hayatudeen will work with Mohammed Sagagi and former Central Bank of Nigeria deputy governor Kingsley Moghalu on the development of the campaign’s policy proposals.
John Odigie-Oyegun, a former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will chair the Campaign Advisory Council.
The campaign organisation will have six operational directorates supervised by deputy directors-general, with 30 directors assigned responsibilities across the structure.
Akobundu, who represents Abia Central in the Senate, will oversee the campaign’s daily operations and coordinate activities among the directorates.
Shaibu said the appointments were intended to establish a campaign organisation with defined responsibilities and accountability for its officials.
The campaign will focus on issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, and declining purchasing power, according to the statement.
