Moghalu Disowns Atiku Campaign Appointment, Says He Was Not Consulted

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has disowned his inclusion in the policy team of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Moghalu reacted after Atiku’s campaign council announced its structure on Thursday, listing the former CBN deputy governor among members of the campaign’s policy team.

In the statement announcing the appointments, Atiku’s campaign said economist and banker, Mohammed Hayatudeen, would lead the Policy Team, working with Professor Mohammed Sagagi and other members, including Moghalu.

However, Moghalu said he was surprised to see his name included in the campaign structure, insisting that he was neither consulted nor asked for his consent before the announcement.

“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,” he said.

He further clarified that he was not a member of Atiku’s campaign policy team in any capacity, including unofficially or as an adviser.

“I am NOT, in fact, a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity,” Moghalu said.

The former CBN deputy governor said he withdrew from partisan politics in Nigeria in 2022 and had since maintained a non-partisan position on national affairs.

“I am not a member or sympathizer of any political party in Nigeria,” he stated.

Moghalu 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 identified himself as Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.

Despite distancing himself from Atiku’s campaign, Moghalu said he remained committed to Nigeria and its progress.

He stressed that his commitment to the country should not be interpreted as support for any political party or candidate.

“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.

Moghalu’s clarification came shortly after the ADC unveiled its presidential campaign structure, which named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman and Senator Austin Akobundu as Director-General and Campaign Manager.

The development leaves Moghalu’s name disputed in the campaign structure announced by Atiku’s team, with the former CBN deputy governor publicly stating that he did not accept the role.