The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it has concluded arrangements to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party disclosed that its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, would nominate key officials in consultation with the party leadership. The announcement comes as the NDC continues preparations for the election and works to establish its campaign structure. (Vanguard News)
In a statement issued on Tuesday, National Publicity Secretary Osa Director said consultations were ongoing among Obi, Kwankwaso, the party’s National Leader and other leaders. The discussions are expected to produce what the party described as an inclusive and cohesive campaign team.
The NDC’s preparations follow the emergence of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket for the 2027 election. The party previously affirmed the ticket at its special convention, as reported in the announcement of Obi’s presidential candidacy.
Obi and Kwankwaso to Nominate Campaign Council Officials
According to the NDC, Obi and Kwankwaso will nominate several principal officers of the Presidential Campaign Council.
The positions include Director-General, Deputy Director-General for the North, campaign spokesman and deputy spokesman. They will also nominate the Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other officials.
The party leadership has reportedly given the two candidates a free hand to make the nominations. However, the process will involve consultations with other party leaders and stakeholders.
The NDC said it developed a comprehensive organogram for the campaign structure in August. It presented the document to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while also receiving nominations from stakeholders across the country. (Vanguard News)
The party said it would announce and inaugurate the council after the candidates submit their recommendations. The development follows earlier consultations involving the party’s leading figures, including discussions on the NDC’s 2027 campaign plans.
Campaign Council Inauguration Delayed
The NDC said it initially scheduled the inauguration for the first week of September. However, the party postponed the event because of Obi’s travel schedule.
It said the inauguration would proceed once the presidential candidate and his running mate submitted their outstanding recommendations. The party has not provided a new inauguration date in the statement.
The council is expected to coordinate the party’s presidential campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections. The announcement also follows the NDC’s earlier direction for candidates to begin campaign preparations and consultations, covered in the party’s campaign mobilisation announcement.
The NDC has also urged candidates and support groups to avoid internal disputes as preparations continue. Its leadership says campaign activities should focus on the party’s electoral objectives.
NDC Outlines Campaign Funding Arrangements
The party said it was finalising arrangements for fundraising, which would be led by Obi and Kwankwaso.
According to the statement, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into a dedicated campaign account. Officers nominated by the candidates, working alongside the National Treasurer, would manage the account.
The party said the Finance Director and deputy would work with the National Treasurer to ensure transparency and accountability. It added that campaign funds would be managed in line with relevant requirements, including reporting obligations to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the Electoral Act. (Vanguard News)
The funding arrangements are part of the party’s broader preparations for the election. The NDC has also been working on its campaign timetable and organisational structure.
The party’s preparations come amid wider political realignments ahead of 2027, including recent developments involving the APC and its campaign activities.
Party Begins Polling Agent Mobilisation
Meanwhile, the NDC has commenced preparations to mobilise and train polling agents ahead of the elections.
The party directed all state and Local Government Area chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders. They are expected to compile and harmonise lists of agents for the different elections.
The NDC said it would identify two categories of agents. One group would serve during National Assembly elections, while the other would cover governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
The party leadership, including Obi and Kwankwaso, would scrutinise and ratify the lists before training begins. The exercise is expected to be completed within two weeks of the directive. (Vanguard News)
The mobilisation effort is intended to prepare party agents for their roles during the polls. It follows other election-related preparations across the country, including INEC’s recruitment process for ad hoc election staff.
The NDC’s agent training plans also come as parties continue to organise their grassroots structures. In Enugu, for instance, political parties have been preparing for local government elections, including the signing of a peace accord ahead of the September 26 polls.
Committee to Oversee Appointment of Party Agents
The NDC named a committee to oversee the appointment of its polling agents.
The committee will be chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo will serve as secretary.
Other members include Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the party’s National Vice Chairmen from the six geopolitical zones.
The committee will supervise the compilation and harmonisation of agent lists before the party leadership reviews and ratifies them. The party said the process would be followed by training for the selected agents. (Vanguard News)
The NDC’s focus on polling agents forms part of its preparations for election-day operations. Other parties have also been undertaking campaign and organisational activities, including grassroots mobilisation in Enugu East.
The party’s campaign preparations are also unfolding alongside discussions about political alliances and party structures ahead of the 2027 elections. Related coverage includes the APC’s campaign mobilisation activities.
NDC Urges Candidates to Avoid Internal Disputes
The party called on its candidates and supporters to focus on the 2027 elections and avoid internal disagreements.
“There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” the party said.
The statement urged party members to concentrate on campaign preparations rather than disputes within the organisation. The NDC also emphasised the need for candidates to operate within the party’s collective structure.
The party’s appeal comes amid continuing political realignments and disagreements among parties ahead of the next general elections. Other reports have examined opposition politics, including Peter Obi’s political activities and Atiku Abubakar’s political engagements.
The NDC has maintained that its candidates should prioritise the party’s campaign and electoral objectives. The statement did not announce disciplinary measures for members who engage in internal disputes.
Obi and Kwankwaso Joined NDC in May
Obi and Kwankwaso formally joined the NDC in May 2026 after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The party subsequently affirmed Obi as its presidential candidate and Kwankwaso as his running mate for the 2027 election. Their move to the NDC followed a period of opposition-party realignment, as previously reported in coverage of the two politicians joining the party.
The NDC’s latest announcement outlines how the party intends to select campaign officials, organise fundraising and prepare polling agents. It also sets out the roles Obi and Kwankwaso will play in nominating key members of the campaign council.
The party said the council would be announced and inaugurated after the candidates submit their recommendations. Meanwhile, state and local government chairmen have been directed to begin compiling lists of polling agents.
The campaign council’s inauguration and the agent mobilisation exercise are expected to form key parts of the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Further political developments ahead of the election include campaign activities involving Enugu stakeholders and political mobilisation in Nkanu East.
The NDC has not announced the final list of Presidential Campaign Council members. It says the formal announcement will follow the completion of consultations and submission of recommendations by Obi and Kwankwaso.
