NDC Sets Date to Inaugurate 2027 Presidential Campaign Council

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced plans to inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council on October 20 as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, saying the inauguration would be accompanied by the presentation of certificates of return on the same date.

Cleopas said the party was taking steps to strengthen its structures ahead of the elections and ensure that the campaign team was properly constituted.

He explained that the National Working Committee had developed the proposed structure of the Presidential Campaign Council and submitted it for consultation with the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to him, the consultations are intended to ensure that appointments reflect the candidates’ experience, contributions and expectations for the campaign.

Some of the positions being considered include Director-General, Deputy Director-General, Finance Director, Director of Mobilisation and spokesperson.

The chairman said the party was being careful with the appointment process to prevent disagreements that could affect its campaign activities. He added that preparations for the 2027 elections had continued despite concerns over the timing of the council’s inauguration.

Cleopas also said Obi and Kwankwaso had been engaging Nigerians through consultations and town hall meetings in different parts of the country.

He cited recent engagements in Rivers, Sokoto and Kaduna states, adding that another town hall meeting was scheduled to take place in Enugu on October 15.

The NDC chairman further disclosed that the party had begun preparations to deploy polling agents across the country, with its state structures already activated.

He said the initiative was aimed at addressing challenges associated with election-day representation and strengthening the party’s ability to monitor the voting process and protect its votes during the 2027 elections.

According to him, the party is working with its senatorial, House of Representatives, governorship and state assembly candidates to identify and prepare agents for their respective constituencies.

Cleopas stressed that efforts to protect votes should begin with voter awareness. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant after casting their ballots and ensure that their votes were properly recorded and counted.

He also warned support groups against interfering in the internal administration of the party, maintaining that such responsibilities belonged to its constitutionally recognised structures.

While acknowledging the contributions of groups such as the OK Movement and the Obidient Movement, Cleopas urged them to operate within their designated roles to prevent unnecessary disagreements.

He said the party valued the support of the Obidient Movement and regarded its members as partners in electoral mobilisation. However, he maintained that support groups were not authorised to manage the party or independently carry out the responsibilities assigned to the Presidential Campaign Council.