Isaac Samuel
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in the policy team of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, saying neither was he consulted nor did he give hid consent for his name to be published.
Moghalu’s reaction came shortly after Atiku unveiled his National Campaign Council and Presidential Campaign Management Committee for the 2027 general elections, with Moghalu listed among those expected to contribute to the campaign’s policy development.
In a statement on Thursday, Moghalu said he was surprised to see his name listed as a member of Atiku’s policy team.
“For the record, I was not consulted and did not give my consent to my name being published as a member of the ADC candidate’s policy team,” he said.
He added: “I am NOT, in fact, a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity.”
Moghalu said he had quit partisan politics in Nigeria since 2022 and had maintained his non-partisan posture in the country’s national affairs.
“I am not a member or sympathizer of any political party in Nigeria,” he said.
The former CBN deputy governor said his primary engagements were as President of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa), a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy, and Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
He said his commitment to Nigeria’s development did not require him to align with any political party.
“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail any partisan alignment. I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship,” he said.
Earlier, Atiku’s campaign had announced a lean structure comprising six operational directorates and 30 directors, with Senator Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Kashim Ibrahim-Imam was named Chairman of the National Campaign Council, while former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, was appointed Deputy Chairman.
Veteran journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, was named head of the Media and Communications Directorate, while former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was assigned responsibility for Contact and Mobilisation.
The campaign said economist and banker, Mohammed Hayatudeen, would coordinate its policy team, working with Prof. Mohammed Sagagi and other members to develop policy proposals for the campaign.
Atiku’s campaign described the structure as deliberately lean, saying it was intended to reduce bureaucracy and ensure clearly defined responsibilities and accountability.
