The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said on Monday that it was in advanced consultations to constitute and inaugurate its Presidential Campaign Council, with presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, given a free hand to nominate most of the council’s principal officers.
The party said the two candidates had already held several meetings with National Leader Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and other party leaders. A full organogram of the campaign structure was prepared in August and shared with Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations were also received from stakeholders nationwide.
“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” the statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, Esq., said.
Obi and Kwankwaso are to nominate the Director-General, Deputy Director-General (North), campaign spokesman and deputy spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, among others.
The Finance Director and Deputy Finance Director, working with the party’s National Treasurer, will manage campaign funds.
The party said the arrangement was intended to meet transparency requirements and INEC reporting obligations under the Electoral Act.
Campaign funds raised will be paid into a dedicated presidential campaign account overseen by officers nominated by the presidential candidate, his running mate and the party’s National Treasurer.
The party said it had already proposed a campaign timetable but was waiting to finalise funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by the candidates.
The inauguration, originally planned for the first week of September, was postponed because of Obi’s travel schedule. The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the council once the candidates submit their remaining inputs.
The party also used the statement to call for internal discipline. It appealed to all NDC candidates and their support groups to avoid intra-party battles and focus on defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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.”
It added that NDC candidates at all levels were not running as independents and should, therefore, work towards a collective victory.
Separately, the party directed all state and local government chairmen to convene meetings with candidates and stakeholders within two weeks to produce two lists of party agents — one for the National Assembly elections and another for the governorship and state assembly elections.
The lists will be scrutinised and ratified by the party leadership, including Obi and Kwankwaso, before training begins.
The Committee on Party Agents will be chaired by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli, with Vin Martin Ilo serving as secretary. Other members include Dr Yunusa Tanko, Director of the Obidients Movement; Nafiu Dankura, representing the Kwankwasiyya Movement; and the six zonal National Vice Chairmen. The committee will oversee the appointment of party agents.