The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is nearing the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, with its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, authorised to nominate several key officials.

The party said its leadership had given Obi and Kwankwaso the freedom to nominate candidates for important positions within the campaign council, 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 development followed a series of meetings involving Obi, Kwankwaso, NDC National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and other senior party officials.

NDC Gives Obi and Kwankwaso Nomination Powers

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, disclosed the decision in a statement issued on September 22.

According to the NDC, the proposed campaign structure was developed in August, when an organogram for the Presidential Campaign Council was prepared and forwarded to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input.

The party also said it received nominations and contributions from stakeholders across the country as part of the process of constituting the campaign council.

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

The candidates are expected to nominate the Director-General, Deputy Director-General for the North, campaign spokesman, deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other officials in consultation with the party leadership.

The NDC said the arrangement was intended to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.

Campaign Council Inauguration Was Earlier Postponed

The NDC said the inauguration of its Presidential Campaign Council had initially been scheduled for the first week of September.

However, the event was postponed because of Obi’s travel schedule.

The party said a new date would be announced after receiving the outstanding contributions and nominations from the presidential candidate and his running mate.

“The party wishes to assure the public that as soon as we receive the inputs of our presidential candidate and his vice, the NDC shall proceed to announce and inaugurate the same,” the party stated.

The development comes as the NDC steps up preparations for the 2027 elections, including the organisation of its campaign structure, fundraising arrangements and election-day operations.

Party Sets Out Campaign Finance Structure

The NDC also announced arrangements for managing funds raised for the presidential campaign.

According to the party, the Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director will work alongside the National Treasurer to oversee the campaign’s financial operations.

Campaign proceeds are expected to be deposited into a dedicated presidential campaign account.

The account will be managed by officers nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso together with the party’s National Treasurer.

The NDC said the arrangement was designed to promote transparency and accountability while ensuring compliance with electoral reporting requirements.

The party further disclosed that a campaign timetable had been under consideration since August, but its implementation was linked to the completion of funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

NDC Warns Against Internal Disputes

The party also appealed to its candidates, supporters and affiliated groups to avoid internal disputes as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

The statement came amid a disagreement between the NDC leadership and the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement over the establishment of a separate campaign structure.

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

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

The NDC said candidates and their supporters should concentrate on the broader objectives of the party rather than allowing disagreements over campaign structures to distract from preparations for the election.

Party Begins Selection of Election Agents

Beyond the Presidential Campaign Council, the NDC said it had begun preparations for the deployment of party agents for the 2027 elections.

The party has directed its state and local government chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders in their respective areas within two weeks.

The meetings are expected to produce separate lists of agents for the National Assembly elections and for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.

The proposed lists will subsequently be reviewed and ratified by the party leadership before the selected agents undergo training.

The exercise is intended to strengthen the party’s organisation at polling and collation locations as it prepares for the elections.

Development Follows Separate OK Movement Campaign Council

The NDC’s latest announcement follows the unveiling of a separate 59-member Presidential Campaign Council by the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement, a support organisation backing the joint ticket.

The support group announced its own campaign structure to mobilise support for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 election.

The NDC subsequently clarified that the support group’s campaign council was separate from the official Presidential Campaign Council being established by the political party.

The disagreement has generated discussion about the relationship between the party’s official campaign machinery and independent groups supporting its candidates.

The NDC’s latest statement makes clear that the party intends to constitute and inaugurate its own Presidential Campaign Council, while Obi and Kwankwaso will have a role in selecting several of its principal officers.

NDC Moves Toward Full Campaign Structure

With the proposed organogram already prepared and consultations involving party leaders and the two presidential candidates underway, the NDC is moving toward completing its formal campaign structure.

The party is simultaneously working on campaign financing, election-agent selection and mobilisation arrangements across the country.

The final composition and inauguration date of the Presidential Campaign Council are expected to be announced after the NDC receives the remaining inputs from Obi and Kwankwaso.