The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that consultations are at an advanced stage for the constitution and inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the party, its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been given the authority to nominate most of the principal officers of the campaign council. This development is part of efforts to finalise the campaign structure.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC disclosed that Obi and Kwankwaso have held several meetings with National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and other party leaders. A comprehensive organogram for the campaign was prepared in August and forwarded to the two candidates for their input. The party has also received nominations from stakeholders across the country. The leadership has given Obi and Kwankwaso a free hand to make nominations.
The positions to be nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso include Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among others. The Finance Director and deputy will work alongside the party’s National Treasurer to administer campaign funds in accordance with transparency requirements and reporting obligations imposed by the Electoral Act. Funds raised for the presidential campaign will be paid into a dedicated campaign account.
The NDC has proposed a campaign timetable but is awaiting the conclusion of funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by Obi and Kwankwaso. The inauguration of the council, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed due to Obi’s travel schedule. The council will be formally announced and inaugurated after Obi and Kwankwaso submit their outstanding inputs.
The party has urged its candidates and support groups to avoid internal disputes, stressing that the focus should remain on challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The NDC maintained that candidates contesting under its platform are not independent candidates and should operate within the collective structure of the NDC. This statement comes amid a purported Presidential Campaign Council announced under the banner of the “OK Movement”, which the party has disowned.
The NDC has disowned the purported council, describing it as unauthorised. In a separate statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses, the party said the reported council did not originate from or receive approval from its leadership. The party warned that no individual or support group is authorised to constitute or announce a campaign council in its name without prior approval from the National Working Committee.
The NDC has also announced disciplinary proceedings against John Ugulu over his “affront and excesses” during the party’s Lagos State primary election. The party directed its state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders within two weeks to compile lists of agents for National Assembly elections and for governorship and state assembly polls. A committee will oversee the process to establish a coordinated campaign and election-day structure ahead of the 2027 polls.
Key points
- The NDC's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been given the authority to nominate most of the principal officers of the campaign council.
