The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has appointed Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu as Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The appointment was announced on Thursday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Shaibu said Akobundu would coordinate the party’s campaign structures and oversee its political and operational activities across the country.
Akobundu, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army and serving senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, served as Minister of State for Defence under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
The campaign council will be chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, will serve as Deputy Chairman.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, will oversee the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General, while former Kogi State Senator, Dino Melaye, will be responsible for national outreach, mobilisation and public engagement.
Economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen will coordinate the campaign’s policy structure, with former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, also serving on the policy team.
Former Edo State Governor and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Council.
Shaibu said the appointments were intended to ensure effective coordination and discipline across the various arms of the campaign.
Akobundu, a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, held several command and staff positions in the Nigerian Army before retiring as a Colonel in 2000.
He subsequently served as Chairman of the Board of Management of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, before being appointed Minister of State for Defence in 2015.
He has also held several positions within the ADC, including National Vice Chairman, South-East Zonal Chairman and National Organising Secretary.
According to Shaibu, Akobundu’s military, administrative, political and legislative experience would be valuable in coordinating the campaign’s nationwide operations.
He added that the campaign structure was designed to remain lean, with clearly defined responsibilities and measurable outcomes.
Akobundu’s appointment is part of the unveiling of the ADC National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee ahead of the 2027 general elections.
