TD Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign policy team.
Professor Moghalu said he was neither consulted nor gave consent for his name to be published.
Moghalu issued the clarification on Thursday, September 24, 2026, shortly after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign unveiled its campaign structure for the 2027 general election.
Atiku’s campaign had listed Moghalu as a member of its Policy Team.
The team is being coordinated by economist and banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, with Professor Mohammed Sagagi also named in the team.
However, Moghalu said his inclusion was unauthorised.
‘I was not consulted’
In a statement posted on his official X account, Moghalu said he was surprised to see his name included in the announcement issued by Atiku and the ADC campaign team.
He stated: “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 went further to state that he was not associated with Atiku’s campaign in any capacity:
“I am NOT, in fact, a member of Atiku’s policy team, even unofficially or in any advisory capacity.”
The clarification effectively contradicts the campaign announcement.
The announcement had presented Moghalu as one of the individuals who would work with Hayatu-Deen and Sagagi on policy development.
Moghalu says he has quit partisan politics
The former CBN deputy governor said his position was consistent with his decision to withdraw from partisan politics in Nigeria.
According to Moghalu, he left partisan politics in 2022.
Ever since, he has maintained a non-partisan position in the country’s national affairs since then.
“I am not a member or sympathizer of any political party in Nigeria,” he stated.
Moghalu explained that his current professional activities are centred on public policy and geopolitical risk rather than partisan political activity.
He identified himself as President of 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.
‘Statesmanship, not partisanship’
Moghalu stressed that remaining outside partisan politics does not mean he has withdrawn from national affairs.
He said he remains committed to Nigeria and its progress.
However, he does not consider partisan affiliation necessary to demonstrate that commitment.
He stated further:
“I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment.”
He added:
“I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship.”
Moghalu contested the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP).
Nonetheless, his latest statement indicates that he currently does not identify with any Nigerian political party.
Atiku unveils campaign structure
Moghalu’s rejection came shortly after Atiku unveiled his presidential campaign structure for the 2027 election.
The campaign council is chaired by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, while former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was named Deputy Chairman.
Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager.
Other prominent figures named in the structure include former Edo State Governor and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun.
Odigie-Oyegun will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.
Veteran journalist Dele Momodu will oversee Media and Communications arm of the campaign body.
In the meantime, former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was assigned Contact and Mobilisation responsibilities.
The campaign said the Policy Team would develop responses to issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
No indication of Moghalu’s acceptance
The circumstances surrounding Moghalu’s inclusion mean that, based on his public statement, it is evident that he has not joined Atiku’s campaign.
The campaign announcement identified him as part of the policy structure.
Moghalu, however, subsequently stated that he neither authorised the appointment nor accepted a role on the team.
As of Thursday evening, reports reviewed had not indicated a public response from Atiku’s campaign team.
They are yet to explain how Moghalu’s name came to be included or whether it would be removed from the campaign structure.
Moghalu has now publicly stated that he remains outside the campaign and will maintain his non-partisan position ahead of the 2027 general election.
