The Nigeria Democratic Congress has authorised its 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to nominate key officials for the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.
The party said the two candidates would select officials 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, in consultation with the party leadership.
The decision was contained in a statement on Tuesday, issued by the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, following consultations involving Obi, Kwankwaso, the party’s National Leader and other leaders.
According to the party, allowing the candidates to make the nominations is intended to ensure broader participation and unity within the campaign structure.
Director said the proposed organogram for the campaign council had been prepared in August and forwarded to Obi and Kwankwaso for their contributions. He added that nominations had also been submitted by party stakeholders from across the country.
“The party leadership has given a free hand to the presidential candidate and his running mate to make nominations,” he said.
The NDC said the campaign council would be formally announced and inaugurated after the candidates submit their inputs.
The inauguration, which was initially planned for the first week of September, was postponed because of Obi’s travel schedule.
The party also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been prepared since August but that its implementation was awaiting the completion of funding and fundraising arrangements to be led by the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
On campaign finances, Director said all funds raised would be paid into a dedicated presidential campaign account and jointly managed by officials nominated by Obi and Kwankwaso alongside the party’s National Treasurer.
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He said the Finance Director and deputy would work with the National Treasurer to maintain transparency and accountability, noting that the party would be required to submit financial records to the Independent National Electoral Commission in accordance with the Electoral Act.
The NDC further urged its candidates and their supporters to avoid internal disputes and concentrate on the 2027 elections.
“We also appeal to all our candidates at all levels to restrain their supporters and support groups to focus on the need to win elections. There are no battles to fight within the NDC. The common opponent to defeat is the ruling APC,” Director said.
He also reminded candidates that they were contesting under the NDC and urged them to work within the party structure.
“Our candidates should keep their eyes on the ball and focus on winning,” he added.
The development comes days after the Obi-Kwankwaso Movement unveiled a separate 59-member campaign structure. The NDC subsequently clarified that the support group’s structure was distinct from the official Presidential Campaign Council to be constituted by the party.