Amid Confusion, NDC Moves to Inaugurate Obi-Kwankwaso Campaign Council

By Marian Alekhue

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is set to constitute and inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for the 2027 general elections, amid controversy over a separate campaign structure recently unveiled by the Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement.

The party said its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been given the freedom to nominate key officials of the official campaign council.

In a statement signed by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., the party said consultations with its leadership and stakeholders across the country were at an advanced stage.

According to the statement, Obi and Kwankwaso had held several meetings with the party’s National Leader and other members of the leadership on the composition of the campaign council.

The party said the two candidates would nominate the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), Spokesman, Deputy Spokesperson, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among other officials, in consultation with the party.

“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” the statement said.

The NDC explained that a full organogram of the proposed campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from stakeholders across the country.

It added that the official council would be announced and inaugurated once the candidates submit their inputs.

The party said it had also developed a campaign timetable and was awaiting the conclusion of arrangements for funding and fundraising, which would be spearheaded by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

According to the NDC, funds raised would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The party said the inauguration, originally scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the presidential candidate’s travel schedule.

The latest announcement comes amid confusion over the status of a 59-member campaign council unveiled last week by the OK Movement, a support group backing the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.

The NDC leadership subsequently dissociated itself from the OK Movement’s structure, saying the list did not originate from the party and should be disregarded.

The OK Movement, however, rejected the suggestion that it required validation from any individual within the NDC before carrying out its organisational activities.

Against the backdrop of the disagreement, the NDC appealed to its candidates and supporters to avoid internal battles and concentrate on the 2027 elections.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” the party stated.

It urged candidates at all levels to restrain their supporters and support groups, stressing that they were contesting under the platform of the NDC and not as independent candidates.

The party also directed all state and Local Government Area chairmen to immediately meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to compile and harmonise lists of party agents for the forthcoming general elections.

The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.

The NDC said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by the party leadership, including the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, before training begins.

It directed that the exercise and submission of the final lists be completed within two weeks.

The party said the committee responsible for appointing the agents is chaired by its Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo as Secretary. Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen representing the six geopolitical zones are members of the committee.

The NDC’s latest statement indicates that the party’s official PCC remains distinct from the campaign structure unveiled by the OK Movement, with the formal party structure still awaiting final inputs from Obi and Kwankwaso.