Atiku campaign promises more appointments, says ‘no one is forgotten’

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The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has said it will announce more appointments as it expands its national campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

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The campaign council made this known in a statement issued on Saturday by its Director of Strategic Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following the release of its initial list of officials.

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Shaibu said the list represented an important stage in the organisation of the campaign but was not the final composition of the council.

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“The campaign is still evolving. Consultations are continuing, and further responsibilities will be assigned as the structure expands across the country,” the statement said.

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He said Atiku Abubakar remained conscious of the sacrifices made by those who had supported him over the years, assuring members and supporters who were not included in the initial list that their contributions had not been forgotten.

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“To those who may feel disappointed that their names have not appeared yet, we ask for patience and understanding. No one should believe that years of commitment and sacrifice have been forgotten.

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“Our strength has always been our people and the relationships built over many years. We must preserve that bond,” he said.

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The campaign said it would draw on party members, experienced leaders, professionals, young people and other Nigerians willing to contribute to its activities.

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It also announced plans to unveil zonal and state structures, additional senior appointments and other layers of organisation extending to wards and polling units across the country.

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The development comes two days after Atiku unveiled his Presidential Campaign Council, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam named chairman, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman and Senator Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager.

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The council also named several prominent figures to various positions, including former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, as Atiku’s running mate, Dele Momodu as Deputy Director-General of the Media and Communications Directorate and Dino Melaye as Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate.

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However, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, who was listed as a member of the council’s Policy Team, subsequently rejected the appointment, saying he was neither consulted nor asked for his consent before his name was published.

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Meanwhile, Shaibu said the campaign was strengthening its policy architecture to develop responses to issues including the cost of living, food security and agriculture, security, energy and power, jobs, industrialisation, manufacturing, education, healthcare, infrastructure, housing and governance.

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He said the campaign would also focus on technology and innovation, social protection, natural resources, the environment and human capital development.

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“ Nigeria’s challenges are interconnected and cannot be addressed in isolation. The objective is to ensure that every major national problem is matched with a serious, practical and implementable policy response capable of improving the everyday lives of Nigerians,” the statement said.

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The campaign council described the exercise as a “people-driven national campaign”, saying it would continue to expand by involving Nigerians willing to contribute to its activities.

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“There is room in this journey for every sincere hand willing to serve,” the statement added.

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