The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has stepped up consultations prior to the formation of his campaign council since the official start of the 2027 general election campaigns.
The move comes as the All Progressives Congress unveiled key members of its presidential campaign council, with President Bola Tinubu on Saturday announcing former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as Secretary.
However, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, Phrank Shaibu, urged Nigerians to be patient, saying details of the former vice-president’s campaign council and official campaign launch would be announced at the appropriate time.
Speaking in an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Shaibu said consultations were ongoing and that the campaign team would make an official announcement once the process was concluded.
He said, “The composition of His Excellency Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Council, its leadership and the formal take-off of the campaign will be announced at the appropriate time.
“Consultations are ongoing, and we would rather allow the process to run its course than speculate about names or locations ahead of an official decision.”
On campaign funding, Shaibu also urged Nigerians to await the candidate’s formal position, saying Atiku would unveil his fundraising model when the time was right.
“We are aware of the different approaches being adopted by other candidates. His Excellency’s campaign will unveil its own fundraising framework in accordance with the law and at the appropriate time.
“Whatever model is adopted will be transparent, accountable and consistent with applicable campaign-finance regulations,” he added.
Shaibu said Atiku’s immediate focus was on engaging Nigerians on issues affecting their lives and presenting his policy alternatives.
He said these would include Atiku’s “unmistakable and unrepentant commitment” to the return of a targeted fuel subsidy, which he said would differ from the previous import-subsidy regime.
He explained that the proposed intervention would be transparent and production-linked, with the aim of supporting domestic refining, reducing the burden on Nigerians and ensuring that subsidy “follows the barrel.”
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress, whose presidential candidate is Peter Obi, is also consulting on the composition and timetable of its campaign council.
