NDC to present campaign council, financial statement Monday

The Nigeria Democratic Congress will on Monday unveil its National Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections. It will also present its statement of account at its third National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja.

The party said it would also present certificates of return to its candidates for the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections.

The meeting is scheduled for 10am at JD Event Centre, Kashim Ibrahim Way, opposite A-Class Park, Maitama, Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Osa Director, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday.

“A major highlight of the meeting will be the release and presentation of the party’s Statement of Account by the National Treasurer. This reflects our commitment to transparency and accountability.

“In this regard, we challenge other political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress, to emulate this level of openness and transparency in the management of their finances. For the NDC, it is no longer politics as usual,” he said.

Explaining the party’s financial position, Director said its resources would have been stronger but for the economic hardship facing Nigerians, which he blamed on the APC-led administration.

He claimed that about 80 per cent of the party’s candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms because of poverty, hunger and deprivation in the country.

“Our finances would have been more robust. However, contrary to speculations in the public domain, and due to the level of poverty, hunger and deprivation in the country occasioned by the rudderless APC and its amorphous economic policies, about 80 per cent of our candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms.

“The party had to issue forms to such candidates free of charge,” he said.

According to the statement, the campaign council will be all-encompassing, covering candidates contesting for the presidency, National Assembly, governorship and state legislative seats. It added that the unveiling would provide an opportunity to consolidate the party’s campaign structures ahead of the elections.

“The NDC is turbo-charged and ready to give Nigerians the altruistic leadership the nation deserves. A New Nigeria is Possible. We can do it!” the statement added.

The planned unveiling follows the postponement of the council’s inauguration, which was initially scheduled for October 20.

The party had attributed the postponement to the tight schedule of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and an important commitment abroad. The new date was fixed for October 26, alongside the NEC meeting, at which, according to the statement, the party is expected to take key decisions on its preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Moses Cleopas, had earlier dismissed claims that the NDC was inactive or divided, insisting that its leadership remained committed to the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket.

Cleopas said the National Working Committee had held several meetings since August and submitted proposals on the composition of the campaign council for consideration by the party leadership.