Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected his inclusion in the policy team of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign, saying he was neither consulted nor gave his consent before his name was published.
Moghalu made the clarification after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign structure listed his name among those expected to contribute to the policy development team ahead of the 2027 general election.
The development followed the unveiling of Atiku’s campaign council on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with Mohammed Hayatudeen named to coordinate the policy team alongside other members, including Moghalu.
However, Moghalu subsequently took to social media to distance himself from the campaign structure, expressing surprise that his name had been included.
The economist and public policy expert said he had not been approached by Atiku, the ADC or members of the campaign team before his name was announced.
For the record, Moghalu said, explaining that he was not consulted and did not authorise the use of his name as a member of the former vice-president’s policy team.
Moghalu stated that he was not consulted and did not give his consent for his name to be published as a member of Atiku’s policy team.
He also stressed that he is not a member of the campaign team, whether formally or informally, and does not serve as an adviser to Atiku in any capacity.
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,” Moghalu stated.
He further clarified that he is not a member of Atiku’s policy team, either officially or unofficially, and has not accepted any advisory responsibility within the campaign.
The clarification comes shortly after the ADC campaign announced its policy structure as part of a broader 2027 campaign organisation.
According to the campaign announcement, economist and banker Mohammed Hayatudeen would coordinate the policy team, working with Professor Mohammed Sagagi and other members, while Moghalu was identified as one of the experts whose experience would contribute to policy development.
Moghalu also used the opportunity to restate his position on partisan politics in Nigeria.
The former CBN deputy governor said he had withdrawn from partisan politics since 2022 and had maintained a non-partisan posture in national affairs.
He said he is not a member or sympathiser of any political party in Nigeria.
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 sympathizer of any political party in Nigeria,” he said.
Moghalu’s statement places his current professional activities outside the political structures being assembled ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
His clarification also distinguishes his participation in public policy discussions from formal involvement in an electoral campaign.
Moghalu said his primary professional engagements are currently centred on public policy, executive education, geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy.
He identified himself as President of IGET Africa, which he described as a non-partisan public policy think tank and executive education academy.
He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies, a geopolitical risk and regulatory strategy advisory firm.
Moghalu said these professional responsibilities remain his principal areas of engagement and should not be interpreted as partisan political involvement.
The economist has previously held senior public-sector responsibilities, including serving as a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and has remained active in economic and public policy discussions since leaving government.
Moghalu further stressed that remaining committed to Nigeria does not require him to align himself with a political party or presidential candidate.
He said his interest in the country’s development remains intact but that he has deliberately chosen a non-partisan path.
I remain committed to my country, Nigeria and its progress, but such commitment does not have to entail ANY partisan alignment,” he stated.
According to Moghalu, his approach to national affairs is now centred on what he described as statesmanship rather than partisanship.
I have adopted the path of statesmanship, not partisanship,” he said.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of the ADC’s unveiling of its 2027 presidential campaign structure.
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president and ADC presidential candidate, approved a campaign council headed by Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai serving as Deputy Chairman.
Senator Austin Akobundu was named Director-General and Campaign Manager, while veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu was assigned to head the Media and Communications Directorate. Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was named to oversee contact and mobilisation activities.
The campaign also announced a policy structure intended to develop proposals addressing issues including the cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power.
Moghalu’s name was included in that policy structure before he publicly clarified that he had not consented to the appointment.
His statement therefore separates his professional contributions to public policy and national discourse from any formal association with Atiku’s 2027 presidential campaign.
The development comes as political parties, coalitions and presidential campaigns begin to strengthen their structures ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with policy teams expected to play a significant role in developing campaign programmes and proposals.
For Moghalu, however, his position remains that his engagement with national issues should continue without partisan alignment.
