The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has approved the composition of his Presidential Campaign Council, headed by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director, Strategic Communications of the council, Phrank Shaibu, who is also Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku.
According to the statement, the council was structured to reflect the economic realities confronting Nigerians, including rising food prices, transport costs and shrinking incomes.
Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, with responsibility for translating the council’s strategy into coordinated action.
Six Deputy Directors-General will superintend the council’s operational directorates, working alongside 30 directors assigned specific portfolios.
Campaign principals
Presidential candidate: Atiku Abubakar
Vice-presidential candidate: Rotimi Amaechi
National Chairman: Senator David Mark
Council Chairman: Kashim Ibrahim-Imam
Deputy Chairman: Nasir El-Rufai
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Senator Austin Akobundu
Campaign Advisory Board
Chairman: John Oyegun
Deputy Chairman: Lawal Batagarawa
Secretary: Eyitayo Jegede, SAN
Members: Senator Ireti Kingibe, Hajia Naja’atu Mohammed
Policy Team
Chairman: Mohammed Hayatudeen
Deputy Chairman: Prof. Mohammed Sagagi
Members: Dr Kingsley Moghalu, Prof. Mustapha Akinkunmi, Senator Abdul Ningi
Secretary: Aare Aremijoye
Senior Campaign Advisors
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Abdulfatah Ahmed, Emeka Ihedioha, Adamu Maina Waziri, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Senator Patricia Akwashiki
Campaign Management Committee
Director-General/Campaign Manager: Austin Akobundu
Head, Research and Documentation: CID Maduabum
Head, Legal Services: Shaibu Enejo Aruwa, SAN
Administration Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Yusuf Suleiman. Units: Administration (Dr Ajuji Ahmed), General Services (Abubakar Kanike), Special Duties (Dr Nicholas Msheliza), Finance and Accounts (Abdussamad Dasuki), Logistics (Prof. Gold Emmanuel), Head of Protocol (Prof. Onyi Nwagbara), Medical Services (Dr Amina Mohammed).
Operations Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Chief Ralph Nwosu. Units: Organisation and Field Operations (Abdullahi Maibasira), Strategy and Planning (Mohammed Kumalia), Security (retired Gen. Kabiru G. Nadama), Diaspora and Foreign Operations (Nnena Ukeje). Intelligence head left blank on the chart.
Media and Communications Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Dele Momodu. Units: Strategic Communication (Phrank Shaibu), Media and Publicity (Kola Ologbondiyan), Branding (Ladan Salihu), Digital and Online Media (Moji Rhodes-Vivour), Content Development (David Iyofor). Spokespersons: Kenneth Okonkwo, Keturah King, Nana Kazaure, Dr Uche Diala, Alh. Dahiru Maishanu. Campaign MC: Chief Charles Ojugbana.
Contact and Mobilisation Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Senator Dino Melaye. Units: Mandate Protection (Solomon Dalung), Women Mobilisation (Naomi Labari), Persons with Disabilities (Dr Chike Okogwu), Stakeholder Engagement (Oladimeji Fabiyi), Youth Mobilisation (Balarabe Rufai).
Diversity and Support Groups Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Salihu Tanko Yakasai. Units: Support Groups (Aliyu Audu), NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (Rhoda Sanda), Business and Professional Bodies (Hafiz Bayero), Gender Issues (Zainab Buba Galadima), Entertainment and Creative Industry (Dr Don Pedro Obaseki).
Technical and Systems Directorate
Deputy Director-General: Lauretta Onochie. Units: Election Operations and Management (Chille Igbawua), Polling Unit Operations (Ezeokolie Blessing Jack), Voter Intelligence (Dr Alex Adum), Monitoring and Evaluation (Prof. Ola Olateju), Situation Room (Chief Teddy Ezeaghauche).
Shaibu quoted Atiku as saying the council’s success would be measured by how clearly it addressed the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
