Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has appointed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election. 

The appointment was announced on Thursday as the ADC unveiled its National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee.

Kashim Ibrahim-Imam was named chairman of the campaign council, while Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager, responsible for the day-to-day coordination of the campaign. 

According to a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Director of Strategic Communications, Phrank Shaibu, El-Rufai will be responsible for high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country.

The campaign structure will operate through six major directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities. 

Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu was named to lead the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye will oversee Contact and Mobilisation.

The Policy Team will be chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi, Professor Kingsley Moghalu and others as members. Former Edo State Governor and pioneer APC National Chairman John Oyegun will chair the Campaign Advisory Board. 

El-Rufai’s appointment comes amid ongoing legal proceedings and an investigation involving the former Kaduna governor. Reports state that he is in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission over investigations, while he also faces charges in separate cases. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.