The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has granted its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the authority to nominate key officials of the party's Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) ahead of the 2027 general election. This development comes as the party concludes consultations with the two candidates and other stakeholders to inaugurate the campaign council, with the campaign set to commence in October.
The NDC had previously disowned a 59-member campaign council announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, citing that the structure was not authorised by the party. According to a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, Obi and Kwankwaso have been meeting with the national leader and other party leaders to finalise the campaign structure. The party has developed a comprehensive organogram for the campaign since August.
The organogram has been made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their inputs, while nominations have also been received from stakeholders across the country. The PCC will be announced and inaugurated once the candidates' inputs have been received. Key positions to be filled include the Director-General of the campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), spokesman, deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, and Deputy Finance Director.
The NDC has proposed a campaign timetable since August but is still concluding arrangements for funding and fundraising, which will be spearheaded by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. All funds raised for the campaign will be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the two candidates in conjunction with the National Treasurer.
This arrangement aims to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly because the party will be required to render accounts to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in accordance with the Electoral Act. The party had initially scheduled the inauguration of the PCC for the first week of September but postponed it due to the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.
The NDC also urged its candidates at all levels to restrain their supporters and support groups from engaging in internal disputes, stressing that the focus should be on winning the forthcoming elections. The party emphasised that there are no battles to fight within the NDC, and the common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC.
The latest announcement effectively puts the party's formal campaign structure in the hands of its presidential ticket, subject to consultation with the party leadership. The party is now set to move forward with the campaign, with Obi and Kwankwaso at the helm of the PCC.
Key points
- Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have been given a free hand to nominate key officials of the NDC's Presidential Campaign Council.
- The NDC had disowned a 59-member campaign council announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement, citing that the structure was not authorised by the party.
- The party's campaign is set to commence in October, with a comprehensive organogram and campaign timetable already in place.
