2027: NDC Issues Fresh Update on Its Campaign Council List

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has revealed that consultations are at an advanced stage for the constitution and inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This was just as the party disclosed that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had been given the authority to nominate most of the principal officers of the campaign council.

In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had held several meetings with National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and other party leaders as part of efforts to finalise the campaign structure.

According to the party, a comprehensive organogram for the campaign was prepared in August and forwarded to the two candidates for their input, while nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country.

“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” the statement said.

Politics Nigeria reports that the positions to be nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso include Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among others.

The NDC said the Finance Director and deputy would work alongside the party’s National Treasurer to administer campaign funds in accordance with transparency requirements and the reporting obligations imposed by the Electoral Act.

It added that funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into a dedicated campaign account supervised by officers nominated by the presidential candidate, his running mate and the National Treasurer.

The party said it had also proposed a campaign timetable but was awaiting the conclusion of funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by Obi and Kwankwaso. The inauguration of the council, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed due to Obi’s travel schedule.

It added that the council would be formally announced and inaugurated after the presidential candidate and his running mate submit their outstanding inputs.

The party also urged its candidates and support groups to avoid internal disputes, stressing that the focus should remain on challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” it said.

The party maintained that candidates contesting under its platform were not independent candidates and should therefore operate within the collective structure of the NDC.

Meanwhile, the NDC has disowned a purported Presidential Campaign Council announced under the banner of the “OK Movement”, describing the structure as unauthorised.

In a separate statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, the party said the reported council attributed to one John Ugulu did not originate from or receive approval from its leadership.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the party wishes to state categorically as follows: The party hereby dissociates itself in totality from the said OK Movement PCC announcement. It did not emanate from the party and should be disregarded by the public and the media,” the statement said.

The party warned that no individual or support group was authorised to constitute or announce a campaign council in its name without prior approval from the National Working Committee.

It acknowledged the contributions of support groups but cautioned them against presenting themselves as parallel structures of the party.

The NDC also announced disciplinary proceedings against Ugulu over what it described as his “affront and excesses” during the party’s Lagos State primary election, saying the matter had been referred to the appropriate disciplinary organ.

Separately, the party directed its state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders within two weeks to compile lists of agents for National Assembly elections and for governorship and state assembly polls.

The lists will be reviewed and ratified by the party leadership, including Obi and Kwankwaso, before the agents undergo training.

A committee chaired by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo as secretary, will oversee the process. Its members include Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the six zonal National Vice Chairmen.

The NDC said the exercise was part of preparations to establish a coordinated campaign and election-day structure ahead of the 2027 polls.