The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is in advanced consultations to constitute and inaugurate a Presidential Campaign Council, with presidential candidate Peter Obi and running mate Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso given significant autonomy to nominate principal officers. According to a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Osa Director Esq, Obi and Kwankwaso have held several meetings with National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and other party leaders to ensure a smooth process.
A full organogram of the campaign structure was prepared in August and shared with Obi and Kwankwaso for input, while nominations were also received from stakeholders nationwide. The party leadership has given Obi and Kwankwaso the mandate to nominate key officers, including the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy, Head of New Media, Finance Director, and Deputy Finance Director.
The Finance Director and deputy, working with the party's National Treasurer, will manage campaign funds, ensuring transparency and meeting INEC reporting obligations under the Electoral Act. Campaign funds raised will be paid into a dedicated presidential campaign account overseen by officers nominated by Obi, Kwankwaso, and the National Treasurer of the Party.
The NDC party has proposed a campaign timetable but is waiting to finalise funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by Obi and Kwankwaso. The inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council, initially planned for the first week of September, was postponed due to Obi's travel schedule. The party will announce and inaugurate the council once Obi and Kwankwaso submit their remaining inputs.
In a related development, the NDC has directed all state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders within two weeks to produce two lists of party agents – one for National Assembly elections and another for governorship and state assembly elections. The lists will be scrutinised and ratified by party leadership, including Obi and Kwankwaso, before training begins.
The committee for the Party Agents will be chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South) Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo as secretary and members including Dr Yunusa Tanko, the Director of the Obidients Movement, Nafiu Dankura, for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, and the six zonal National Vice Chairmen. The party has also called for internal discipline, appealing to all NDC candidates and their support groups to avoid intra-party battles and focus on defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The NDC emphasised that candidates at all levels are not running as independents and should work for a collective victory. The party's statement concluded that there are no battles to fight within the NDC, and the common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC.
Key points
- The NDC party is finalising its Presidential Campaign Council, giving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso a free hand to nominate key officers.
- The party has directed state and local government chairmen to produce lists of party agents for upcoming elections.
- The NDC has emphasised internal discipline, urging candidates to focus on defeating the ruling APC.
