ADC to Release Fresh Campaign List to Include Aregbesola, Others

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set to release an expanded list of members of its Presidential Campaign Council as the party continues preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The fresh appointments are expected to address the absence of some senior party officials from the campaign structure unveiled earlier this week.

Among those whose inclusion is expected in the expanded arrangement is the party’s National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola.

National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi and other prominent party figures are also expected to receive fresh responsibilities as the campaign organisation expands.

Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communications of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, confirmed that the structure announced so far should not be regarded as the final composition of the campaign team.

According to him, consultations are still ongoing and the campaign will continue to appoint more people as it develops its structures across the country.

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

The development followed the unveiling of Atiku’s campaign council on Thursday, September 24, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The initial structure placed former Borno State politician Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as Chairman, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was named Deputy Chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.

Atiku’s running mate, Rotimi Amaechi, was also listed among the principal figures in the campaign organisation.

Other notable members include former Edo State Governor John Oyegun, former Kogi State Senator Dino Melaye, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

The campaign council was divided into different directorates, including Administration, Operations, Media and Communications, Contact and Mobilisation, Diversity and Support Groups, and Technical and Systems.

However, the absence of Aregbesola and Abdullahi from the published structure raised concern because of their positions within the ADC National Working Committee.

Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, currently serves as the National Secretary of the party.

Abdullahi, who previously served as a senator and minister, is the National Publicity Secretary.

Their omission from the campaign list generated questions over how senior members of the party would participate in Atiku’s campaign machinery.

Aregbesola, however, was seen participating in ADC activities on the same day the campaign council was announced.

He joined Atiku and other party leaders in Akure, Ondo State, for the reception of former Ondo State governorship candidate Eyitayo Jegede and his supporters into the ADC.

During the event, Aregbesola called on party members to intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I want to appeal to you to vote ADC and protect your votes in the coming general election,” Aregbesola said.

He also urged members to commence grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.

“I also want to urge you to go and campaign from now on till January and February.”

The appearance reinforced the fact that Aregbesola remained actively involved in the party’s activities despite his absence from the first campaign council list.

Abdullahi also played down suggestions that his omission from the campaign structure represented a disagreement with the party or Atiku.

“There are so many party leaders whose names are not there. We play an important role in the party. So, it is not anything,” he said.

He further explained that the party’s national officers had responsibilities that went beyond the campaign organisation and that removing them from the party’s regular structure simply to place them in the campaign council would not be necessary.

The explanation is important because the ADC campaign council and the party’s National Working Committee perform different functions.

The NWC remains responsible for the administration and political affairs of the party, while the campaign council is designed to coordinate activities directly connected to the 2027 election.

Shaibu has now indicated that more appointments will be made as the campaign machinery expands from the national level to the zones, states, local government areas, wards and polling units.

“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, remains deeply conscious of the sacrifices made by those who have stood with him over the years. Loyalty is remembered. Sacrifice is respected. Friendship is valued,” he said.

He also appealed to party members who were not listed in the initial structure not to interpret the omission as a rejection of their contributions.

“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,” Shaibu said.

The campaign said its structure would continue to accommodate party leaders, professionals, young Nigerians and other supporters who are willing to contribute to the campaign.

The Media and Communications Directorate is headed operationally by several experienced media figures, including Dele Momodu as Deputy Director-General, Phrank Shaibu as Director of Strategic Communication and Kola Ologbondiyan as Director of Media and Publicity.

Dino Melaye was named Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate, with other officials assigned responsibilities for women, youth, persons with disabilities and stakeholder engagement.

The campaign’s Policy Team is headed by Mohammed Hayatudeen, while the Campaign Advisory Board is chaired by former Edo State Governor John Oyegun.