2027: Atiku names El-Rufai deputy campaign council chairman despite ICPC custody

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has appointed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as Deputy Chairman of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

El-Rufai was named alongside other members of the campaign council approved by Atiku, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam appointed chairman and Senator Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu designated Director-General and Campaign Manager.

The former Kaduna governor is expected to handle high-level political coordination and engagement with stakeholders across the country as part of the campaign structure.

His appointment comes amid his continued detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with ongoing investigations and legal proceedings.

The ICPC has confirmed that El-Rufai remains in its custody under court-authorised remand arrangements. The former governor is facing corruption-related charges, including allegations of abuse of office, money laundering and fraud, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

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El-Rufai is also involved in separate legal proceedings relating to allegations concerning the interception of communications involving National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

A related case was adjourned in September, while a separate fundamental rights suit filed by the former governor against the ICPC, Inspector-General of Police and Attorney-General of the Federation was adjourned to October 27, 2026.

The development adds a legal dimension to the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election, with the party continuing to organise its campaign structure ahead of the poll.

Atiku, a former vice president, emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate after the opposition coalition adopted the party as its platform for the 2027 election.

El-Rufai joined the ADC after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he had previously served as governor of Kaduna State from 2015 to 2023.

The ADC campaign council is expected to coordinate the party’s nationwide mobilisation, messaging and engagement with political and community stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.