2027: NDC nears campaign council inauguration, begins mobilisation of polling agents - The Guardian Nigeria News

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says consultations have reached an advanced stage for the constitution and inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party also begins nationwide mobilisation of election agents.

The party said its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been given considerable latitude to nominate principal officers who will coordinate the presidential campaign.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had held several meetings with the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and other senior officials as preparations for the campaign intensify.

According to the party, a comprehensive organogram for the presidential campaign was prepared in August and forwarded to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations have also been received from stakeholders across the country.

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

The party said Obi and Kwankwaso would nominate several principal officers, including the Director-General, Deputy Director-General for the North, campaign spokesman and deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director.

The proposed finance officials are expected to work with the NDC National Treasurer in managing funds raised for the presidential campaign.

According to the NDC, campaign funds would be paid into a dedicated presidential campaign account overseen by officials nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The party said the arrangement was intended to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with applicable campaign-finance and electoral reporting requirements.

The NDC added that a campaign timetable had already been proposed, but some arrangements concerning funding and fundraising were still being finalised.

The inauguration of the Presidential Campaign Council was initially expected in the first week of September but was postponed, with the party attributing the delay to Obi’s travel schedule.

The party said a new date would be announced after receiving the remaining input from the candidates.

As preparations intensify, the NDC also appealed to its candidates and their supporters to avoid internal political confrontations and concentrate on their respective election campaigns.

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

“Our candidates should keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning.”

The statement added that candidates contesting on the NDC platform were part of a collective political structure rather than independent campaigns and should therefore work towards the party’s overall electoral objectives.

The appeal comes as political parties move deeper into preparations for the 2027 general elections.

INEC’s final list of presidential candidates identifies Obi as the NDC presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his vice-presidential candidate.

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027.

Beyond the presidential campaign structure, the NDC has directed its state and local government chairmen to begin the process of identifying party agents for the elections.

State and local government officials have been asked to convene meetings involving candidates and other stakeholders within two weeks.

The process is expected to produce two categories of proposed party agents.

One list will cover the National Assembly elections, while the second will cover governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

The proposed agents will subsequently undergo scrutiny and ratification by the party leadership before training begins.

The NDC said the committee overseeing the exercise would be chaired by its Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo serving as secretary.

Other members include Dr Yunusa Tanko, representing the Obidient Movement; Nafiu Dankura, representing the Kwankwasiyya Movement; and the party’s six zonal National Vice Chairmen.

The mobilisation of party agents represents an important organisational step ahead of voting, with political parties deploying accredited representatives to polling and collation centres to observe proceedings and protect their interests during elections.

The latest announcement follows the unveiling last week of a separate 59-member Presidential Campaign Council by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, a support group backing the NDC ticket.

That structure includes national, zonal and state coordinators as well as directors responsible for mobilisation, strategy, legal affairs, security and other campaign functions.

However, the NDC has clarified that the support group’s council is separate from the official Presidential Campaign Council being constituted by the party.

Director said following the support group’s announcement that the NDC’s official council would be unveiled separately.

The distinction means the names announced by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement should not be treated as appointments to the party’s main campaign organisation.

The NDC’s forthcoming council is expected to provide the central structure for coordinating the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential campaign, while the party-agent exercise will focus on building representation for the NDC ahead of voting.

With the presidential ticket already appearing on INEC’s final candidate list, attention within the party is now shifting towards completing its campaign leadership, fundraising arrangements and election-day organisation ahead of the January polls.