Bitterness, Crisis Trail Atiku’s Less Than 1-Day-Old Campaign Council
Crisis and bitter reactions have hit the newly-formed Presidential Campaign Council of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the flag-bearer of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections, less than 24 hours after the team was made the public.
While some leaders have expressed bitterness over their exclusion, some included as council members said they wanted nothing to do with it.
Atiku, through his Spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, released the “lean” team on Thursday.
EMBITTERED AREGBESOLA SUPPORTERS
Supporters of the ADC National Secretary, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, have kicked at his conspicuous exclusion from the list released on Thursday, contrasting his absence with the inclusion of the Chairman, Senator David Mark.
Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), immediately rejected his inclusion in the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.
Equally angry about the list, the ADC National Youth Leader, Sultan Bello, has tendered his resignation from the party on September 24, 2026, over his exclusion from the presidential campaign council.
KINGSLEY MOGHALU REJECTS MEMBERSHIP
Kingsley Moghalu, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has rejected his inclusion in the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.
In a statement published on his X handle on Friday, the economic expert said he was not consulted by the party before being included in Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s campaign team.
The former Vice-President had named Moghalu as part of the campaign policy team, headed by Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who contested the ADC presidential primary alongside Atiku.
However, Moghalu said the ADC did not obtain his consent before including his name on the list.
“I am surprised to see a statement from @atiku and @ADCNig campaign team including my name as a member of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s policy team for the 2027 presidential campaign,” he wrote.
“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.
“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 continued to maintain 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.
“My primary engagement is as President of @IGETAfrica, a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy, and as CEO of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.”
Moghalu said he remained committed to the country and its progress, “but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment”.
“I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship.
ADC NATIONAL YOUTH LEADER SULTAN BELLO QUITS ADC OVER EXCLUSION
In an X Twitter posting on Friday, ADC Youth Leader, Sultan Bello, wrote: “I QUIT.
“’Lean team’ apparently means lean on the people who worked, then leave them off the list. Anyway, resignation submitted. No hard feelings.. just hard lessons.”
Formally, announcing that he resigned from the party with immediate effect, Bello, in a letter dated September 24, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Ja’oji Gyadi Gyadi Arewa Ward in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, said his decision followed extensive consultations, careful consideration, and deep personal reflection.
The letter read, “After extensive consultations, careful consideration, and deep personal reflection, I write to formally tender my resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with immediate effect.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served and contributed to the growth and activities of the party during my time as a member. I sincerely appreciate the relationships, experiences, and lessons gained throughout my journey within the ADC.
“I would like to express my profound appreciation to my principal, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, CON, for his guidance, trust, support, and the opportunity to work alongside him. I remain grateful for his confidence in me and wish him continued success in all his future endeavours.
“I also extend my appreciation to the leadership, stakeholders, members, and supporters of the African Democratic Congress for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the party.
“I respectfully request that my resignation be accepted and that my name be removed from the membership records of the party with immediate effect.
“Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest esteem and regards.”
