NDC fixes October 26 for 3rd NEC meeting, campaign council unveiling

…Says 80 per cent of its candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms

By Henry Umoru

The national leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has fixed Monday, October 26, for its third National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, where it will unveil its National Campaign Council and present its candidates with Certificates of Return.

The party has attributed its limited financial resources partly to the economic hardship in the country, just as it claimed that about 80 per cent of its candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms.

According to the NDC, it had to issue the forms to the affected candidates free of charge, contrary to what he described as public speculation about its finances.

In a statement signed on Saturday by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, he disclosed that the meeting would also feature the presentation of the party’s statement of account by its National Treasurer.

According to him, it is part of the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of its finances, just as it challenged other political parties, particularly the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to adopt similar measures in disclosing their financial records, adding, “For the NDC, it is no longer politics as usual.”

The statement read, “The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) wishes to announce that its 3rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will hold on Monday, 26th October, 2026, at JD event centre, Kashim Ibrahim Way, opposite A-class park, Maitama, Abuja. Time is 10 am prompt.

“A major highlight of the meeting will be the release and presentation of the party’s Statement of Account by the National Treasurer. This is in deference to our avowed commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability. In this regard, we challenge other political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to emulate this level of openness and transparency in the management of their finances.

“For the NDC, it is no longer politics as usual.

“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% of our candidates could not afford the Expression of Interest forms. The party had to issue forms to such candidates free of charge.

“The party will also use the opportunity of the NEC meeting to unveil its National Campaign Council (NCC).

“As a party of innovation, our NCC is all-encompassing. It covers the Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly Campaign Councils.

“Our various candidates will be presented with Certificates of Return for their respective offices.

“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!”