Momodu Says Atiku Picked El-Rufai to Honour His Sacrifice

Dele Momodu says Atiku Abubakar appointed Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman of his 2027 campaign council partly to honour what he described as the former governor’s political sacrifices.

Daniel Momodu · September 25, 2026 · 34

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar appointed former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman of his 2027 Presidential Campaign Council partly to honour his political sacrifices.

Momodu, who serves as Deputy Director-General of the campaign’s Media and Communications Directorate, made the remarks while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Friday.

Atiku unveiled his campaign council on Thursday, naming Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman and El-Rufai as deputy chairman, while Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.

Explaining El-Rufai’s appointment, Momodu said it was a way of honouring what he described as the former governor’s political travails.

He also argued that El-Rufai’s decision to return to Nigeria despite knowing that he could face arrest demonstrated his commitment to the country.

El-Rufai is currently facing legal proceedings and has denied wrongdoing. Momodu criticised the bail conditions attached to the case, describing them as excessive.

Momodu also highlighted El-Rufai’s political influence, claiming that the former governor played an important role in the emergence of President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

The ADC chieftain said El-Rufai’s inclusion in the campaign structure reflected his political experience and the role he could play as the opposition party prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The campaign council has six operational directorates and 30 directors, with responsibilities covering administration, operations, media and communications, mobilisation, support groups, and technical and electoral systems.

Former APC National Chairman John Oyegun is chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council, while Dino Melaye is Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate and Momodu heads the Media and Communications Directorate as Deputy Director-General.