NEWS
Kingsley Moghalu Rejects Inclusion in Atiku’s 2027 Campaign Team, Says “I Have Adopted the Path of Statesmanship Not Partisanship“
Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council, declaring that he was neither consulted nor gave his consent to serve on the team.
Moghalu made his position known in a statement published on his X handle on Friday, following the release of the ADC presidential campaign council list by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku had unveiled the campaign structure as part of preparations for the 2027 presidential election, naming Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman of the campaign council and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai as deputy chairman.
The former vice-president also named Moghalu as a member of the campaign’s policy team, which is headed by Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, another prominent figure who contested the ADC presidential primary alongside Atiku.
According to Atiku, the policy team is expected to develop practical responses to the various challenges and demands Nigerians have placed before the campaign as the party begins its preparations for the 2027 election.
However, the announcement triggered a clarification from Moghalu, who distanced himself from the campaign structure and said his name was included without his knowledge or approval.
“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,” he wrote.
“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Moghalu further explained that his decision to remain outside partisan politics was not new, stressing that he had withdrawn from partisan political activities in Nigeria since 2022.
He said he had deliberately maintained a non-partisan position while continuing to participate in national conversations on public policy, governance and the country’s development.
“I am not a member or sympathizer of any political party in Nigeria,” he said.
“My primary engagement is as President of @IGETAfrica, a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy, and as CEO of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.”
The former CBN deputy governor also emphasized that his commitment to Nigeria should not be interpreted as support for any political party or candidate.
Moghalu said he remains deeply committed to the country’s progress and development, while insisting that his contribution to national affairs can be made independently of partisan political structures.
“I am committed to 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 added.
His clarification effectively places Moghalu outside the ADC campaign structure despite his name appearing on the policy team announced by Atiku, and underscores his stated decision to maintain a non-partisan role in Nigeria’s political and policy discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.