The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, have agreed on the structure of the party's Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). This development comes after resolving a disagreement over a parallel campaign structure. The NDC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with its presidential campaign expected to begin in October.
Under the new arrangement, Obi and Kwankwaso will nominate key officials of the presidential campaign, including the director-general, deputy director-general (North), spokesman, deputy spokesman, head of new media, finance director, and deputy finance director, in consultation with the party leadership. The party had given its presidential candidate and running mate a free hand to nominate principal officers of the campaign.
A full organogram of the campaign structure was developed in August and forwarded to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input. Nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country. The PCC would be announced and inaugurated after the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates had been received and incorporated.
The development follows days of disagreement between the NDC leadership and the OK Movement over the authority to constitute the campaign council. The movement had unveiled a 59-member PCC comprising zonal and state coordinators and directors responsible for mobilisation, women affairs, strategy, security, legal affairs, and other areas.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has formally joined the opposition party and immediately rallied support for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket. Lawal said worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and hunger had made political change imperative. He described backing the ticket as a patriotic undertaking, urging Nigerians who shared his position to work with the NDC.
The NDC also proposed a campaign timetable since August but was awaiting the conclusion of arrangements for funding and fundraising, which would be spearheaded by the candidates. Funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the campaign account and managed by officers nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso alongside the party's national treasurer.
The party directed its state and Local Government Area chairmen to immediately convene meetings with candidates and relevant stakeholders to compile and harmonise lists of party agents for the 2027 elections. Two sets of agents are to be compiled — one for the National Assembly elections and another for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.
Key points
- The NDC party and its candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, have agreed on a joint campaign structure.
- Babachir Lawal has joined the NDC party, citing the need for political change due to insecurity and economic hardship.
- The party is preparing for the 2027 general elections, with its presidential campaign expected to begin in October.
