Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of a lean National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee for his 2027 presidential bid.

In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, said Atiku deliberately kept the structure lean to reflect the mood of the nation and current economic realities.

According to the statement, Atiku said the campaign would not be built around titles and patronage but would operate as a people-driven organisation focused on competence, accountability, national inclusion and measurable results.

The National Campaign Council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will serve as Deputy Chairman, with responsibility for high-level political coordination and stakeholder engagement.

Senator Austin Akobundu, who represents Abia Central and is a retired Colonel and former Minister of State for Defence, was named Director-General and Campaign Manager.

He will oversee the day-to-day management and coordination of the campaign, including the implementation of its strategy and coordination of its various arms.

The campaign structure comprises six operational directorates, each headed by a Deputy Director-General, with 30 directors assigned specific responsibilities to reduce duplication and bureaucracy.

Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, will serve as Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, will be involved in national outreach, mobilisation and public engagement.

The policy team will be coordinated by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as Deputy Chairman and Aare Aremijoye as Secretary. Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, is also a member of the team.

The Campaign Advisory Council will be chaired by former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun. Former Senator Ben Obi and Lawal Batagarawa will serve as Deputy Chairmen, while Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, will be Secretary.

Atiku said the campaign would focus on issues affecting Nigerians, including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity, declining purchasing power and governance.

He said the structure was based on fewer offices, clearly defined responsibilities and greater accountability, with each directorate and appointee expected to deliver measurable results.