Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his reported appointment into the policy team of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 general election, saying he was never consulted before his name was announced.
Moghalu made the clarification in a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, hours after Atiku’s campaign unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council and listed him as a member of the campaign’s Policy Team.
The Policy Team is chaired by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen, while Professor Mohammed Sagagi serves as deputy chairman. According to the campaign, the team will develop policy proposals on key national issues, including the rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
Reacting to his inclusion, Moghalu said he neither accepted nor approved the appointment.
> “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.”
The former presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) also reiterated that he had stepped away from partisan politics four years ago.
> “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.”
Moghalu explained that he is currently focused on policy advocacy and strategic advisory work through the Institute for Governance and Economic Transformation (IGET Africa), a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy, where he serves as president.
He also said he is the Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
Despite staying away from party politics, Moghalu stressed that he remains committed to Nigeria’s development.
> “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.”
The clarification comes shortly after Atiku’s campaign formally announced its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The campaign named Kashim Ibrahim-Imam as chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai as deputy chairman, while Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Moghalu’s rejection of the appointment has drawn attention because of his reputation as an economist and former presidential candidate, adding another development to the evolving political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
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