NDC, Obi, Kwankwaso – Vanguard News
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) announced Tuesday that it is in the advanced stages of establishing its Presidential Campaign Council. Presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have been given the authority to nominate most of the council’s key officers.
In a statement released yesterday, the party indicated that Obi and Kwankwaso have conducted multiple meetings with National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and other party officials as part of the consultations. The NDC prepared a complete organogram of the campaign structure in August, sharing it with the candidates for their feedback, while also gathering nominations from stakeholders nationwide.
“The party leadership has empowered the presidential candidate and his running mate to make the necessary nominations,” stated the release, which was signed by National Publicity Secretary Osa Director Esq.
Obi and Kwankwaso are tasked with selecting positions including Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy, Head of New Media, Finance Director, and Deputy Finance Director, among others. The Finance Director and deputy will collaborate with the party’s National Treasurer to oversee campaign funds. This arrangement is intended to ensure transparency and adhere to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reporting requirements as outlined in the Electoral Act.
Funds raised for the campaign will be deposited into a dedicated account managed by officers chosen by the presidential candidate, his running mate, and the National Treasurer. The NDC has proposed a campaign schedule but is awaiting finalization of funding and fundraising arrangements, which will be conducted by the candidates.
The inauguration of the council, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed due to Obi’s travel commitments. The party plans to announce and inaugurate the council once the candidates have submitted their pending nominations.
Additionally, the party’s statement emphasized the need for internal discipline, urging all NDC candidates and their support groups to refrain from intra-party conflicts and concentrate on defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“There should be no conflicts within the NDC. Our common adversary is the ruling APC,” the statement said. “Candidates should prioritize collective success rather than individual ambitions.”
The NDC has also directed state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders within two weeks to compile two lists of party agents—one for National Assembly elections and another for governorship and state assembly elections. These lists will be reviewed and approved by party leadership, including Obi and Kwankwaso, prior to training sessions.
The committee responsible for selecting party agents will be chaired by Deputy National Chairman (South) Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo serving as secretary. Other committee members will include Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Director of the Obidients Movement, Nafiu Dankura for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, and the six zonal National Vice Chairmen, who will oversee the appointments.
