The Nigeria Democratic Congress has said it will soon inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council after concluding consultations with its presidential and vice-presidential candidates and other stakeholders.
The party said its Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held meetings with the National Leader and other members of the party leadership as part of efforts to finalise the campaign structure.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the party had already developed a proposed structure for the campaign council and was awaiting inputs from the two candidates.
Director said the party leadership had agreed to allow Obi and Kwankwaso to nominate several key officials into the campaign council, including the Director-General, Deputy Director-General for the North, campaign spokesman, deputy spokesperson, Head of New Media and finance directors.
According to him, the nominations would be made by the candidates in consultation with the party leadership.
“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” he said.
The NDC spokesperson explained that the party had prepared the full organogram of the campaign structure since August and had forwarded it to Obi and Kwankwaso for their consideration.
He added that the party had also received nominations from stakeholders across the country as part of efforts to ensure broad representation in the campaign council.
On campaign finances, Director said the proposed Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director would work with the National Treasurer of the party to administer campaign funds.
He said the arrangement was intended to promote transparency and accountability, particularly because the party would be required to account for campaign expenditure to the Independent National Electoral Commission in accordance with the Electoral Act.
The NDC official said the party had also drawn up a campaign timetable since August but was waiting for arrangements on funding and fundraising to be concluded before implementation.
He explained that funds raised for the campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate, alongside the party’s National Treasurer.
Director said the inauguration of the campaign council, originally planned for the first week of September, was postponed because of Obi’s travel schedule.
He assured party members and supporters that the PCC would be announced and inaugurated once the candidates submit their inputs on the proposed structure.
The NDC National Publicity Secretary also appealed to candidates contesting on the party’s platform at all levels to discourage internal disagreements among their supporters and campaign groups.
He urged the candidates to concentrate on the 2027 elections rather than engaging in internal disputes, stressing that the party’s focus should remain on electoral victory.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” Director said.
He said the party had fulfilled its responsibilities towards preparing for the elections and expected its candidates and supporters to complement those efforts.
Director further urged NDC candidates to maintain their focus on their respective contests, noting that they were contesting under the party’s platform and not as independent candidates.
“Our candidates should keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning,” he added.
He said the NDC wanted all its candidates across the country to secure victories in the elections, describing the campaign council as part of the party’s broader preparations for the polls.
