The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) following consultations with stakeholders across the country. According to a statement released by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., the presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have held meetings with the party's national leader and other members of the leadership over the composition of the campaign council.
Obi and Kwankwaso have been given the authority to nominate key members of the campaign council, including the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), Spokesman, Deputy Spokesperson, Head of New Media, Finance Director, and Deputy Finance Director. The party leadership has given them a free hand to make nominations, ensuring inclusiveness, cohesion, and victory in the upcoming elections.
A full organogram of the campaign structure has been developed since August and made available to both Obi and Kwankwaso for their input. The party has also proposed a campaign timetable and is waiting to conclude arrangements for funding and fundraising for the campaign, to be spearheaded by the candidates. The money raised will be paid into the presidential campaign account to be managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate, as well as the party national treasurer.
The inauguration of the PCC was earlier scheduled for the first week of September but had to be put off due to the travel schedule of the presidential candidate. The party has appealed to all candidates at all levels to restrain their supporters and support groups to focus on the need to win elections. The NDC wants all its candidates at all levels to win resoundingly, especially as they are not running as independent candidates.
The party's leadership has directed all State Chairmen and Local Government Area Chairmen to immediately convene meetings with candidates and relevant stakeholders in their respective states to collate and harmonize the list of party agents to be deployed for the forthcoming general elections. The exercise will be concluded, and the final list submitted within two weeks from the date of this directive.
The committee saddled with the responsibility of appointing party agents is chaired by Comrade Babatunde Alli, the Deputy National Chairman (South), with Vin Martin Ilo (Secretary), Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura, and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones as members. The party agents will be scrutinized and ratified by the party's leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate before training commences.
The NDC is committed to transparency and accountability, as the party is saddled with the responsibility of rendering accounts to INEC in line with the Electoral Act. With the inauguration of the PCC, the party is expected to intensify its campaign efforts ahead of the general elections. The party's focus is on winning resoundingly, with its common opponent being the ruling APC.
Key points
- Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have been given the authority to nominate key members of the campaign council.
- The party has proposed a campaign timetable and is waiting to conclude arrangements for funding and fundraising for the campaign.
- The NDC is committed to transparency and accountability in its campaign efforts.
