Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in the policy team of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 election.
Moghalu, in a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, said he was neither consulted nor asked to give his consent before his name was published as a member of Atiku’s campaign policy team.
His reaction came hours after Atiku’s campaign unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council, listing Moghalu among members of its Policy Team.
The campaign said the team would develop policy proposals addressing issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
The Policy Team is chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi as deputy chairman.
“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.
“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.
Moghalu reaffirms non-partisan position
Moghalu, who was the presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party in the 2019 election, said he left partisan politics in Nigeria in 2022.
“I have quit partisan politics in Nigeria since 2022. I have maintained, and continue to maintain, my non-partisan posture in our country’s national affairs.
“I am not a member or sympathiser of any political party in Nigeria,” he said.
He said his current engagements include serving as president of the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa), which he described as a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy.
He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
Moghalu said remaining outside partisan politics did not mean he was disengaged from national affairs.
“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.
Atiku’s campaign structure
Moghalu’s clarification followed the unveiling of Atiku’s campaign structure for the 2027 presidential election.
Kashim Ibrahim-Imam was named chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was appointed deputy chairman. Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager.
The campaign also named Dele Momodu to head Media and Communications and Dino Melaye to lead Contact and Mobilisation.
According to the campaign, the Policy Team, chaired by Hayatu-Deen, is expected to develop policy responses to issues confronting Nigerians.
However, Moghalu has publicly stated that he is not a member of the team and did not consent to his inclusion.
