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Former Osun governor’s absence raises questions as Atiku unveils campaign structure dominated by top political figures

Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has been left out of the presidential campaign council unveiled by the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Also absent from the campaign structure is the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

The omissions have attracted attention because both officials occupy key positions in the ADC’s national leadership. The party’s official website currently lists Aregbesola as National Secretary and Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary.

Atiku approved the composition of the campaign council on Thursday, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam appointed chairman and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai named deputy chairman.

Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager, while veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will oversee the Media and Communications Directorate. Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was named Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate.

Former Edo State Governor and ex-national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.

The policy team will be headed by Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who contested the ADC presidential primary alongside Atiku, while former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, is also listed as a member.

According to Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Director of Strategic Communications, the campaign structure was designed around specific responsibilities, with six operational directorates and 30 directors assigned to defined roles.

“This is a structure built for work. Every directorate has a duty. Every director has an assignment. Every appointee must account for results,” Shaibu said.

Why Aregbesola’s absence is attracting attention

Aregbesola’s omission is particularly notable because of his position as one of the senior officers of the opposition party and his involvement in its political activities.

On the same day the campaign council was announced, Aregbesola appeared alongside Atiku and other ADC leaders in Akure, Ondo State, at the reception organised for Eyitayo Jegede, the former governorship candidate who joined the ADC.

However, Abdullahi has played down the significance of the omission.

Speaking to TheCable on Friday, he said the absence of some party leaders from the campaign structure should not be interpreted as evidence of disagreement within the party.

“There are so many party leaders whose names are not there. We play an important role in the party. So, it is not anything,” Abdullahi said.

He argued that the ADC’s national leadership still had to perform its statutory party functions and that removing key national officers from the party structure simply because of the campaign would be counterproductive.

Reported disagreement over campaign structure

Despite that explanation, reports indicate that the composition and structure of the campaign council had generated disagreement within the party.

According to reports, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, who was appointed chairman of the campaign council, and Dino Melaye were involved in compiling the campaign structure before it was submitted to the ADC leadership for consideration.

Aregbesola was reportedly unhappy with aspects of the proposed organogram, particularly the arrangement under which some party executives would be required to report to individuals serving in the campaign structure who are not members of the party’s formal leadership.

He was also reportedly said to have questioned aspects of the composition of the council.

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By Gloria Ikibah

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, assuring them that Nigeria is on the right path towards recovery, peace and sustainable development.

The President delivered the message through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, who represented him at a special prayer session to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary at the National Mosque, Abuja, on Friday.

Speaking to journalists after the prayer session, Speaker Abbas conveyed the President’s message of hope while acknowledging the difficulties Nigeria had faced since independence.

He said the 66 years of nationhood should be seen as a period of growth and maturity, despite the setbacks, challenges and missed opportunities recorded along the way.

“Any person of 66 years cannot be called a child anymore. Nigeria has become mature, even though when we reflect on the journey from independence to date, Nigeria was bedevilled with a lot of issues in the past, and opportunities as well.

“We thank Almighty God for granting us life and peace for us to witness this very historic event today.

“I want to categorically make it clear that Nigeria is on the right path. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Nigeria has finished making sacrifices for this country to be great again,” he said.

The Speaker said the President’s message was particularly focused on encouraging Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to the country’s progress.

According to him, the challenges confronting the nation could be overcome through sustained efforts and collective commitment.

“My message to the country on behalf of Mr President, the Senate President and all members of the National Assembly, is that people should not lose hope.

“Peace is coming back to this country, development is coming back to this country. Things will get better as we progress in this democracy,” he added.

The Speaker further stated that Nigeria’s democratic journey had provided an opportunity for the country to confront longstanding challenges and strengthen institutions capable of supporting sustainable development.

He  therefore urged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the future, stressing that achieving greater peace and development would require patience, unity and continued commitment to democratic governance.

Abbas also urged citizens to pay attention to the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, saying the government was working to address challenges that had accumulated over the years.

According to him, the administration’s reforms and programmes required time and sustained commitment to produce their intended results.
He urged Nigerians to support ongoing initiatives and efforts aimed at consolidating the gains of the administration.

The Speaker said the National Assembly will continue to support measures designed to strengthen democracy, promote economic development, improve security and enhance the welfare of citizens.

He also called for greater national unity, as he said, the task of building a better Nigeria could not be left to government alone.

According to him, citizens also have a role to play through their participation and commitment to the country’s development.

Speaker Abbas also urged Nigerians to use the 66th Independence Anniversary to reflect on the nation’s journey, acknowledge progress made, learn from past challenges and renew their commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous and united country.

The special prayer session was attended by dignitaries and Muslim faithful who offered prayers for peace, stability and continued development in Nigeria.

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Pope Leo XIV has warned against the potential risks of artificial intelligence, urging governments and societies to ensure that rapid technological advancement does not come at the expense of human dignity and values.

The Pope issued the warning during his four-day visit to France, where he addressed French government and Catholic officials at the Élysée Palace in Paris after meeting President Emmanuel Macron.

Pope Leo cautioned against “losing our humanity amid a paradise of machines,” stressing the need to keep human beings and their dignity at the centre of technological development.

His remarks come amid growing global debate over the impact of artificial intelligence on society, employment, education and human relationships.

The Pope’s visit to France is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people, with more than 500,000 expected to attend Mass in Paris on Saturday.

French authorities have stepped up security around the Champs-Élysées and other parts of the capital ahead of the major events. An altar has also been erected at the Place de la Concorde for the Mass.

Pope Leo arrived at Orly Airport on Friday, where he was received by Macron. He is expected to travel through Paris in the popemobile, with large crowds anticipated along his route to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Macron is not expected to attend the Pope’s Masses because of France’s strict separation of church and state. His wife, Brigitte Macron, and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu are, however, expected to attend Saturday’s service.

Other senior French political figures, including Marine Le Pen, Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal and Bruno Retailleau, are also expected to be present.

Officials at the Élysée Palace have dismissed reports of tensions between the French presidency and the Vatican over the Pope’s visit.

French officials said the government had offered Pope Leo several ceremonial engagements traditionally arranged for visiting heads of state. However, he reportedly declined Macron’s proposal to meet artisans involved in the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral, citing a busy schedule.

After visiting Notre-Dame on Friday, the Pope is expected to meet about 80,000 young people at the Stade de France in northern Paris.

On Sunday, around 150,000 people are expected to attend Mass at the Catholic sanctuary of Lourdes in the Pyrenees.

Pope Leo will conclude his visit on Monday in Metz, northeastern France, where he is expected to honour Robert Schuman, one of the founding figures of the European Union and a Catholic currently being considered for beatification.