From Victor Osula, Abuja
Former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion as a contributor to the policy team in the campaign committee unveiled by Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC Atiku Abubakar.
In a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, Moghalu said he was surprised to see his name included in the campaign announcement.
“For the record: I was not consulted and did not give my consent to my name being published as a member of the ADC candidate’s policy team”, he said.
Moghalu further stated that he was “not, in fact, a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity.”
The former CBN deputy governor said he had withdrawn from partisan politics since 2022 and remained committed to a non-partisan role in Nigeria’s public affairs.
He said his current engagements included his work with the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa), a public policy think tank, and Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment. I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship”, Moghalu stated.
The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in his campaign team named former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, as deputy chairman in a structure that brings together veteran politicians, administrators and media professionals.
Atiku named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam chairman of the National Campaign Council, while Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, was named Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate.
The appointments, announced in a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communications for the campaign council, Phrank Shaibu, are part of an organisational framework the former Vice-President said was deliberately designed to be lean and results-driven.
However, the announcement was followed by an immediate controversy after former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, rejected his inclusion in the campaign’s policy team, saying he was neither consulted nor gave his consent.
Atiku said Ibrahim-Imam, an experienced political organiser and administrator, would provide overall leadership for the campaign council, while El-Rufai would undertake high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.
El-Rufai, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory before becoming governor of Kaduna State, is expected to bring his experience in public administration, executive governance and political organisation to the campaign.
Akobundu, according to the statement, will supervise the day-to-day operations of the campaign, coordinate its various arms and implement its strategies.
The campaign structure is divided into six operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities.
Atiku said the arrangement was intended to eliminate duplication and bureaucracy and ensure that every official was accountable for clearly defined results.
“This will not be a bloated campaign built around titles, privileges and political patronage,” Atiku said, adding that the structure would be anchored on “competence, accountability, national inclusion, clearly defined responsibilities and measurable results.”
Momodu, Melaye, Hayatu-Deen Listed
Momodu will coordinate media and communications activities across traditional, broadcast and digital platforms.
Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was also listed as part of the campaign’s wider mobilisation and public engagement efforts.
Economist and banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, was named to lead the policy team, supported by Prof. Mohammed Sagagi and Aare Aremijoye.
Beyond the campaign council, Atiku appointed former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, as chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council.
Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa were named deputy chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, was appointed secretary.
Atiku said the campaign would focus on issues including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and governance.
He said the structure was deliberately designed around “fewer offices, clearer responsibilities and greater accountability.”
“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”, he said.
